Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 229: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the basis, with regard to the early childhood care and education scheme, on which the cut-off age of four years and ten months on 1 January 2010 was chosen; if it will be waived in the case of a family whose child is a year from starting school but is slightly too old to qualify; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28456/09]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, I have responsibility for the implementation of the new Early Childhood Care and Education scheme which provides a free Pre-School year to eligible children and which will be introduced in January 2010.

Under the scheme, eligible children will be able to avail of a pre-school year prior to commencing primary school. Children will be eligible where they are aged between 3 years 3 months and 4 years 6 months on 1 September each year. The scheme is being introduced in January 2010 and children aged between 3 years 7 months and 4 years 10 months on the 1st January 2010 will be eligible to avail of the free pre-school provision.

To provide additional flexibility for parents, for the purposes of this scheme children will qualify where they have not yet reached the age of 4 years 7 months during the month of September each year. This provision will also apply to children entering the scheme in January 2010 and those who have not reached the age of 4 years and 11 months during the month of January will be eligible.

The majority of children who participate in the scheme would be expected to commence primary school between the age of 4 years 3 months and 5 years 6 months and the age range for eligibility is designed to give flexibility to parents to access the scheme at the most appropriate time for their children prior to commencing school.