Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 June 2022
1186. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will advise on the assistance that can be offered to a family (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29999/22]
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. 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.
The child referred to was eligible for the ECCE programme in September 2019 and again in September 2020, so has been able to benefit from the full two years of ECCE.
For children with additional needs, supports are available for school aged children through the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), affiliated to the Department of Education, to support children in the primary school setting. I would urge the parents to contact their local Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO) for further assistance on this.
