Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 115: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will consider the provision of an extra preschool year for a child (details supplied) in Dublin 12. [13222/10]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I have responsibility for implementation of the free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme which was introduced in January of this year.

The ECCE makes a number of provisions to facilitate children with disabilities and special needs. The upper age limit is waived where children have been assessed as being developmentally delayed or where they have a physical, sensory or mental condition which will result in them starting school at a later than normal age. Provision is also made to enable children who have been assessed as having a disability, and who would benefit from attending pre-school for 2/3 days rather than 5 days each week, to be eligible over 2 years, for example 2 days in year 1 and 3 days in year 2. To avoid delays for parents, in addition to assessments by the Health Service Executive (HSE) for children with special needs and/or disabilities, at this point assessments provided by the treating consultant will be accepted as evidence of developmental delay and/or disability.

In addition, where children have been assessed as having a disability which will result in them starting school at a later than normal age, the provision of a second free pre-school year, on a non pro-rata basis, will be considered where this will be of particular benefit to them. Parents of children who have availed of the pre-school year in January 2010 and have an assessed disability which will result in them starting school at a later than normal age, should apply to the Childcare Directorate of my Office where they wish their child to be considered for a 2nd pre-school year in September 2010. Applications will be considered on a case by case basis.