Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 October 2021
152. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are plans to alter the eligibility for the ECCE scheme given the cut-off dates currently set as part of the scheme can lead to one child missing out on the cut-off by a mere couple of days but having to wait an entire year to access the ECCE scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45020/21]
View answerThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme is a universal two-year pre-school programme available to all children within the eligible age range. 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.
The minimum eligibility age of 2 years and 8 months for the ECCE programme was chosen based on national experience and a review of international practice. It also had regard to the regulatory environment for early years education and care in this country and issues such as child development readiness and adult-child ratios.
There are currently no plans to amend eligibility dates for the ECCE programme.
I accept that the use of age limits in a scheme such as ECCE creates a situation whereby a child can fall just outside the age range, however it is necessary for the fair and consistent administration of the scheme.
My Department is committed to delivering equitable treatment of all children and families who apply for childcare funding under the ECCE Programme. In order to ensure objectivity and fairness, it is essential that clear rules exist for the scheme and that they are applied evenly. An essential component of the ECCE programme rules is an eligibility start date to ensure that the programme can be administered and budgeted for in an appropriate manner.
