Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 136: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if all children will enjoy a full year of the early childhood scheme if they were born after 1 August 2006 as she has repeatedly stated; the arrangements for children who are due to begin primary school in September 2010; and if they will receive tax credits or equivalent for the period they miss out on. [35477/09]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, I have responsibility for the implementation of the free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme which is being introduced in January 2010. Children will qualify for the free pre-school year where they are aged between 3 years 3 months and 4 years 6 months at the start of each academic year. The application of age range is being interpreted as generously as possible, to include children who are aged more than 3 years 2 months and less than 4 years 7 months at 1 September each year. This will mean that, in January 2010, children born on or after 2 February 2005 or on or before 30 June 2006 will qualify. Children born between 2 February 2006 and 30 June 2007 will qualify for the free pre-school year in September 2010. However, children who will qualify for the pre-school year in September 2010 will not benefit from it if their parents choose to send them to primary school at that date.

The ECCE scheme will be funded by my Office through the provision of capitation grants paid directly to participating services. No other form of funding is available under the scheme, the key objective of which is to benefit children through providing access to pre-school education.