Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2024
591. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider insuring that the capitation rate paid per child in the early years setting is allocated for the full calendar year or the full school year to enable the school to forward plan. [16441/24]
View answerThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme currently operates over 5 days per week, 38 weeks per year, similar to the primary school year.
A comprehensive review of the ECCE programme has been recently completed by Stranmillis University. The review examined in detail the current operation of the programme and sought to identify possible enhancements, informed by extensive consultation with children, parents, providers and educators.
The final report is currently under review prior to publication. Once the final report has been published I will then consider any policy changes which may need to be made to the programme. My officials are also progressing plans to put the programme on a statutory footing.
