Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 127: To ask the Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 207 of 7 July 2009, if, in view of the less than projected uptake of the early children care and education scheme, she will extend the scheme to all children up to the age of five years that are to commence school in September 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7444/10]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I have responsibility for the free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme which was introduced in January of this year. Approximately 4,000 pre-school services are participating in the scheme with over 51,000 (more than 80%) of children in their pre-school year availing of a free pre-school year place. This rises to over 53,500 (almost 85%) of children in their pre-school year, when account is taken of those availing of a pre-school year under the Community Childcare Subvention Scheme (CCSS), which is also implemented by my Office. This represent a very high take-up of the scheme, particularly in the initial interim period in advance of the first full year of the scheme from September next.

The age range in which children qualify for the scheme spans a period of almost 17 months and includes all children aged more than 3 years 2 months and less than 4 years 7 months in September of each year. Children born between 2 February 2005 and 30 June 2006 qualified for the free pre-school year in January this year and children born between 2 February 2006 and 30 June 2007 will qualify for the free pre-school year in September 2010. Exceptions to the upper age limit are allowed where children are developmentally delayed or it is necessary to accept children at an older age due to the enrolment policy of local primary schools.

The age range in which children qualify for the ECCE will mean that children benefiting from the scheme will, generally, commence primary school when they are aged more than 4 years 2 months and less than 5 years 7 months in September of each year. This is considered reasonable, given that the great majority of children commence school between the age of 4 years 6 months and 5 years 6 months. While broad, it is considered that the age span of almost 17 months remains sufficiently targeted to meet the objective of the scheme of providing appropriate age related activities and programmes to children within a specific age cohort.

If the upper age limit were to be increased to 5 years the result would be that children, in general, would be expected to commence primary school between the age of 4 years 9 months and 6 years. If the Deputy is suggesting that the upper age limit for the scheme should be increased to align with children being aged 5 years when they commence primary school, the result would be to reduce the qualifying age span to a one year period between the minimum statutory age of 4 years and age 5. I am satisfied that the age range set for the scheme achieves a more reasonable balance between supporting the provision of age related programmes and activities and providing flexibility to parents and their children.