Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 July 2013
252. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which she and her Department continue to liaise with the Department of Health as per reply to previous Parliamentary Question No. 220 of 20 June 2013 in the context of provision of the early childhood care and education scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32840/13]
View answerThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme was introduced in January 2010 and provides a free pre-school year to all eligible children.
The programme includes a number of additional provisions to take account of children with special needs. These include an exemption from the upper age limit for qualification under the programme where a child is developmentally delayed and would benefit from starting primary school at a later age. In addition, children with special needs can apply to have the pre-school year split over two years on a pro-rata basis, for example availing of the programme for 2 days a week in the first year and for 3 days a week in the second year. Application for these exemptions must be made prior to the child commencing the programme.
As I outlined previously, there are no further resources available to my Department to provide additional supports for children who need specialist support in the pre-school setting. Responsibility for the provision of any such specialised support is a matter for the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive.
My Department continues to actively work with the Department of Health, specifically the Office of Disability and Mental Health, in the context of building better supports to facilitate the inclusion of children with special needs in mainstream pre-school settings.
