Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 January 2016
111. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if a free preschool education place is available to a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2683/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraCurrently, children are entitled to one year’s free pre-school (i.e. 38 weeks during the academic year) under the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme. For the 2015-16 programme year, children who were born between 2 February 2011 and 30 June 2012 are eligible.
In Budget 2016 it was announced that, from September 2016, children will be eligible to start free pre-school when they turn age 3, and can continue in free pre-school until they start primary school (once the child is not older than 5½ years at the end of the relevant pre-school year i.e. end June). As part of the reform of free pre-school, children will be able to enrol in free pre-school at three different points in the year – September, January and April – so that they can access free pre-school as soon as possible after they reach age 3. In September 2016 children born between 1st January 2012 and 31st August 2013 will be eligible. In January 2017 children born between 1st January 2012 and 31st December 2013 will be eligible, and so on.
As the Deputy does not provide the exact date of birth, I cannot be precise as to when the child concerned can avail of the ECCE programme. However, the details and dates above should be of assistance. Further information is available on the Department's website - www.dcya.gov.ie.
