Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 June 2014
208. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if any additional support will be offered in respect of the early childhood care and education scheme in the case of the child of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27489/14]
View answerThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme provides one free pre-school year to qualifying children before they commence primary school. The ECCE programme is a free and universal programme to which all children have access.
To make the ECCE programme more accessible to children with special needs a number of additional provisions are in place. 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.
I am aware that the Health Service Executive does, where possible, provide additional supports to children with special needs to enable them to avail of pre-school services in mainstream pre-school settings. My Department has been actively working with the Department of Health in the context of building better supports to facilitate the inclusion of special needs children in mainstream pre-school settings. However the issue of supports for children with special needs availing of services in mainstream childcare settings remains a matter for the Department of Health and the HSE, and parents seeking additional supports should contact their Local Health Office.
