The availability and general provision for school places is a matter for the Department of Education.
The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme is a universal two-year pre-school programme available to all children within the eligible age range. The programme runs from September to June each year, aligned with the primary school calendar.
A child must have reached 2 years and 8 months of age on or prior to 31 August of the relevant programme year to be eligible for the September start date and a child cannot turn 5 years and 6 months of age during the course of the ECCE programme year.
There are no plans to change the eligibility criteria for this Programme.
For individual parents experiencing difficulties in securing a school place, the Tusla Education Support Service can assist. Regional contact details are available at www.Tusla.ie