Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 157: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the preschools which will participate in the new free preschool scheme in Dublin 3, Dublin 5, Dublin 9 and Dublin 17; the number of children who will participate in the scheme in Dublin 3, Dublin 5, Dublin 9 and Dublin 17; the number of eligible participants in Dublin 3, Dublin 5, Dublin 9 and Dublin 17; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5957/10]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I have responsibility for the implementation of the free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme which commenced in January of this year. Approximately 4,000 pre-school services throughout the country are participating in the ECCE scheme. Each of these was required to make a return to my Office, by 29 January 2009, giving details of qualifying children attending. As these returns are currently being processed, I am not yet in a position to furnish the information requested by the Deputy. I understand that the Childcare Directorate of my Office will complete the processing of service returns very shortly following which details of the number of children availing of the scheme, broken down by reference to the areas covered by the City and County Childcare Committees (CCCs), will be available.