Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 February 2024
506. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if an underage exemption can be approved for persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7929/24]
View answerThank you deputy for your correspondence in relation to the ECCE programme.
Exemptions to the upper age limit in the ECCE programme are only granted in a very limited number of circumstances and an exemption has already been granted for the named children for the current programme year. There is no provision for granting a second overage exemption.
In deciding on applications for exemptions to the ECCE age requirements, my Department is guided by a review of the over-age exemption process which was carried out in 2018 by the National Disability Authority (NDA) for my Department and the Department of Education.
In their published report, the NDA concluded that it is in the best interest of children with additional needs to transition to primary school with their age cohort.
Supports are available for school aged children through the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), affiliated to the Department of Education, to support children in the primary school setting. I would urge the named children’s parents to contact their local Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO) for further assistance at NCSE.
