Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 December 2018
210. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria for over age exemption for the early childhood care and education, ECCE, scheme; and the reason a child with an autism diagnosis who cannot start school until 2019 due to a lack of suitable school places would not qualify for the exemption. [50541/18]
View answerMy Department does not provide funding to pre-school services other than to early intervention classes in recognised primary schools or special schools. Supports for childcare, including pre-school education, are provided by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA).
The principal vehicle for the delivery of pre-school education is the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Scheme which provides early childhood care and education for children of pre-school age.
The upper age limit of 5 years and 6 months for completing the ECCE programme was set in consultation with the Early Years Education Policy Unit in DCYA and is consistent with the policy of my Department.
Current DCYA policy requires that any request for an overage exemption from ECCE eligibility criteria must be supported by a letter from a HSE/Medical Specialist (not a GP/Public Health Nurse) specifically recommending an extra year of pre-school for the child. This requirement relates to a need to maintain a clear and standard basis for applying for exemptions.
Overage exemption applications are also considered with regard to the original purpose of ECCE which is to provide a pre-school programme in the two years before a child starts school.
A part of the criteria for assessing any application for an exemption to the upper age limit is whether a child has already availed of the full ECCE provision. The current entitlement is to a maximum of two years of ECCE. Every application is considered on its own merits having regard to the individual circumstances pertaining and the legislative requirements around school starting age.
My Department's policy is that all children must be enrolled in the primary school system, whether through placement in mainstream classes, in special classes or in special schools in the September prior to their sixth birthday. If children are not in school by six years of age, under the Education Welfare Act 2000, the Educational Welfare service must be satisfied that the child is receiving a minimum standard of education in a place other than a recognised school.
Where parents need advice or are experiencing difficulties in locating a school placement, including a special class placement, they should contact their local Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO) who can assist in identifying an appropriate educational placement for their child. Contact details are available at http://ncse.ie/seno-contact-list.
Where there is no placement available for a child with Special Educational Needs, my Department will consider applications under the Home Tuition Grant Scheme, where a student can receive up to 20 hours home tuition per week as an interim measure until a placement becomes available.
