George Lee (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 115: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if an exception to the age criteria of the early childhood care education scheme preschool scheme will be allowed in respect of a child (details supplied) in Dublin 16; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46135/09]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I have responsibility for the implementation of the 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 the 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. In the case in question, I understand that the child referred to by the Deputy was aged 3 years 1 month in September of this year and will not, therefore, be eligible for the free pre-school year in January 2010 but would be eligible to qualify in September 2010.