Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 May 2016
77. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills to clarify the commitment outlined in the programme for Government in respect of raising the school starting age to five years old; if this will apply to all students; when he will implement this measure; the consultation that has taken place with the relevant stakeholders on this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11037/16]
View answerThe compulsory school starting age is 6 years of age and the Rules for National Schools provide that a child must be at least 4 years of age before being enrolled in a National School.
The Programme for Government gives a commitment to target investment in children's early years and in this regard, one of the measures refers to a second preschool year which will help prepare young children for starting school and which will mean that most children will be 5 years of age when they start school.
This commitment will be considered in the context of the next budget.
