Early Childhood Care and Education

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 October 2016

Tuesday, 18 October 2016

Ceisteanna (673)

Ruth Coppinger

Ceist:

673. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will alter the conditions of the early childhood care and education programme to deal with the situation faced by children who were born between January and March who would receive less preschool education than those born earlier; if she will provide preschool education from two years prior to entry into primary school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30879/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

The expansion of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme, first announced in Budget 2016 has now commenced, with some children now participating in a second free pre-school year for the first time. Children born between January and March 2013 will be eligible for the ECCE Programme for a total of 76 weeks, beginning from September 2017. A child born between January and March 2014 will be eligible for a total of 88 weeks of ECCE care. From 2017, all children will be entitled to a minimum of 61 weeks of free pre-school, a significant increase from the previous entitlement.

Eligibility for the ECCE programme is bounded at the lower end by a child's third birthday, for developmental reasons; and at the upper end by the requirement that children begin primary education from the age of 6. Three entry points are provided - September, January and April, to maximise the benefit available to children, while also maintaining parental choice as to when children begin their primary education.