Written answers

Tuesday, 19 January 2010

Department of Health and Children

Pre-school Services

9:00 pm

Photo of Michael NoonanMichael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 405: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if an early childhood care and education scheme grant will be paid in respect of a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1233/10]

Photo of Barry AndrewsBarry 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 has just commenced.

Children will qualify for the free pre-school year when they are aged between 3 years 3 months and 4 years 6 months at 1 September each year. The application of this 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 means 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 be eligible for the free pre-school year in September 2010. I understand that the child referred to by the Deputy will qualify for the free pre-school year in September 2010, however, if his parents choose to send him to primary school at that time he will not be able to avail of the scheme.

The majority of children participating in the scheme would be expected to commence primary school between the age of 4 years and 3 months and 5 years and 6 months. The age range for eligibility under the scheme is designed to allow parents the opportunity to take up the free school place at a time that is more suitable to them. It is also necessary to the objectives of the scheme that the free pre-school provision is delivered within a structure which supports the best delivery of pre-school education. This requires a reasonably consistent age range of children attending and it is considered that the age range is appropriate.

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