Early Childhood Care and Education

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 July 2021

Tuesday, 6 July 2021

Questions (406)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

406. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated fall in the number of ECCE places for September 2021; the indicative number of children who will commence and continue in ECCE in September 2021; the way this compares with 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36481/21]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme is a universal free two-year pre-school programme available to all children within the eligible age range.

The total number of children registered for ECCE in the 2020/21 programme year was 102,422.

For the ECCE 2021/22 programme year my Department estimates a slight decrease in enrolments, as a result of changing demographics and a drop in birth rates, rather than a decrease in the popularity of the ECCE programme.