Written answers

Tuesday, 19 January 2010

Department of Health and Children

Pre-school Services

9:00 pm

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 437: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of pre-school establishments that are participating in the new pre-school scheme which commenced in January 2010; the number of pupils who are expected to participate in this scheme; the number of places available on this scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1486/10]

Photo of Barry AndrewsBarry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I have responsibility for the implementation of the new free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme. Approximately 4,000 pre-school services are participating in the ECCE scheme, with an indicated capacity of some 90,000 pre-school year places.

The scheme is open to children aged between 3 years 3 months and 4 years 6 months at 1 September each year. This means that the potential number of children who can avail of the scheme is greater than that represented by a one year cohort. It is estimated that, in January 2010, a one year cohort would total some 63,000 children. Assuming this as a baseline for participation in the scheme from January 2010, and assuming that there is a significantly high uptake of the scheme from the outset, I would hope to see an enrolment figure of up to 50,000 children.

Services participating in the scheme are currently in the process of making a return to my Office giving details of the number of qualifying children enrolled in their services. This process will be concluded at the end of this month following which full details of the number of children enrolled in the scheme will be available from my Office.

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