Kevin O'Keeffe
Question:1341. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if a person (details supplied) in County Cork can avail of a specific allowance when it is required. [15884/18]
View answerTuesday, 17 April 2018
Questions (1341)
Written answers
From September 2018, all children meeting the minimum age requirement of 2 years and 8 months will be eligible for a full two programme years on the Early Childhood Care and Education programme (ECCE). This measure refines the development introduced last year, whereby three intake dates were adopted, and will increase the duration of each registered child on ECCE from a current average of 61 weeks, to a potential duration of 76 weeks (two programme years). This further enhancement delivers fully on a commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government that is good for children, families and Early Years providers.
A child born in December 2014 is eligible for free pre-school from January to June 2018 and from September 2018 to June 2019. It is unclear whether or not the parents in question are having difficulty finding a place for 5 days for their child or if they are unaware that their child is, in fact, eligible for pre-school for the dates referred to. If the parents are having difficulty finding a place for their child I would urge them to contact their local Childcare Committee, contact details, phone 022 23880, email info@corkchildcare.ie