Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

My Department is looking at all sorts of possibilities. I understand the Deputy's concerns and think they are real. She represents her constituents very well. I thank her for acknowledging that we have almost got over that exemption issue. We are finalising the consultation and expect to come forward with some results in light of that. I have indicated that it is possible that the outcome of those consultations may give rise to policy proposals that might have a wider impact on the ECCE scheme in general as well as the issue of the school age exemptions. We may be able, in the context of that consultation, to consider these wider issues. Maybe decisions or recommendations will have been found. As the Deputy would be aware, any changes could have financial implications, some of them significant.

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