Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 March 2024
574. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a child (details supplied) can be allowed to commence early childcare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10364/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe ECCE programme is 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 1st September start date.
The minimum eligibility age for the ECCE programme was revised in September 2018 when it was reduced from 3 years to 2 years and 8 months. The revised minimum of 2 years and 8 months was chosen based on national experience and a review of international practice.
I accept that the use of age limits in a scheme such as ECCE creates a situation whereby a child can fall just outside the age range, however, my Department have to place an age cut-off at some point, and in the interests of fairness and consistency there can be no discretion in this regard.
In 2023 I appointed Stranmillis University College, Belfast to undertake an independent review of the ECCE programme. The review was designed to assess whether the ECCE programme is meeting its core objectives and to identify any opportunities for enhancements that can be made to the programme, based on international evidence and experience to date.
The final report of the Review is complete and I will now consider the findings from the Review and consider any policy changes that may need to be made to the ECCE programme.
A report of the findings from the Review will be published in the coming months.
