Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 February 2021
523. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a child who is over the eligibility age for the early childhood care and education scheme but cannot get a place in a local primary school reclaim the missed months over the past year due to the Covid-19 pandemic for the coming year; his plans to address children in these circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8200/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme is a universal two-year pre-school programme available to all children within the eligible age range. The programme is provided for three hours per day, five days per week over 38 weeks per year and runs from September to June each year, aligned with the primary school calendar.
A child must have reached 2 years and 8 months of age on or prior to 31 August of the relevant programme year to be eligible for the September start date and a child cannot turn 5 years and 6 months of age during the course of the ECCE programme year.
Exemptions for the age requirements for the ECCE programme provided by my Department are considered with regard to three guiding principles:
- the child will not reach 6 years of age before beginning primary education as per the Educational Welfare Act, 2000,
- a specialist has recommended the additional time in ECCE; and
- the child has not already availed of the full two years of ECCE.
The overage exemption ECCE programme is not a mechanism to delay a child’s entry to primary school or to address any issue of non-availability of a school place. If a child cannot get a place in primary school their parents should contact the Department of Education for advice.
With regard to children missing out on ECCE provision due to the current closure of the ECCE programme, ECCE providers are required to make all reasonable efforts engage with ECCE children not attending their service during the current closure period 1 February to 5 March, in order to continue to receive funding from my Department.
To assist providers engage with children remotely at this time, a preschool hub with free online resources has been made available on the First 5 website.
