Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 May 2018
230. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the percentage of children enrolled in the ECCE programme that will be eligible to avail of the next programme year (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19376/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are currently 67,052 children enrolled in ECCE for this programme year, 2017/18, who will be eligible for the next programme year, 2018/19. This represents 57% of the 117,152 children currently registered on the ECCE scheme for 2017-18.
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 ECCE scheme (or free preschool as it has become known). This measure 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 a potential duration of 76 weeks (two programme years). This further enhancement delivers fully on a commitment in the Programme for a partnership Government that is good for children, families and Early Years providers.
The number of entry points will revert to one at the beginning of the next 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.
