Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 March 2018
508. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to a submission regarding the ECCE scheme (details supplied); if a change in the date-of-birth start date is being considered in the context of a review of the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11054/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra513. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the operation of the free ECCE scheme disadvantages children born in the month of January each year from 2015 onwards in view of the fact they will only receive one year free early child care (details supplied); her views on whether this is fair on these children and their parents; her plans to resolve this problem; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11175/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 508 and 513 together.
From September 2018, all children meeting the minimum age requirement of 2 years and 8 months will be eligible for a full two programme years on the Early Childhood Care and Education programme (ECCE). However, parents will have the discretion to decide how much of ECCE to avail of for their child. A decision may be made to utilise one year only of the programme for various reasons, for example, depending on the child's date of birth, parents may wish to send their child to school at 4 rather than 5 years of age. The upper age ECCE requirement is that the child must not reach 5 years and 6 months before the end of the programme year.
A consultation process is about to commence with the parents of children with disabilities, and other stakeholders, regarding the age limits for ECCE. This consultation may result in changes to the scheme for all children. The process is due to conclude in June and the Minister will announce decisions re the scheme as soon as possible thereafter.
This extension to ECCE from September 2018 refines the development introduced last year, whereby three intake dates were adopted, and will increase the duration of each registered child on ECCE from a current average of 61 weeks, to an entitlement to 76 weeks (two programme years). This enhancement delivers fully on a commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government that is good for children, families and Early Years providers.
This new measure will address the situation where there was a wide range in the number of preschool weeks a child could avail of – between 61 and 88 weeks – and will ensure a programme that is equitable for all children.
The number of entry points will revert to one at the beginning of the new programme year (September, 2018). One enrolment period at the start of the pre-school year will help streamline the administration process and will make it easier for childcare providers to operate and budget for the programme year. This will also make it simpler for parents to secure places on the ECCE programme for their children.
