Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 September 2014
743. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of preschools that have applied for or requested a second free ECCE year for children with a disability or who have difficulty with the English language; if funding is available for individual cases where this is deemed necessary and how such funding is accessed. [34235/14]
View answerThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme provides for one free pre-school year for all eligible children before commencing primary school.
Children with special needs can avail of the free pre-school provision 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 are made by the parent prior to the child commencing the programme.
There is no provision under the programme for a second full pre-school year for any child.
