Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 219: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the basis of the selection of 30 June as the outer date for eligibility for the free pre-school year in early childhood care and education scheme in view of the fact that some parents with children born in July or August may wish to send their children to primary school shortly after their fourth birthday. [22978/10]

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 objective of the ECCE scheme is to provide appropriate age related activities and programmes in a formal setting to children, in the year before they commence primary school. Targeting the pre-school year at a particular age cohort is fundamental to the scheme and requires the setting of minimum and maximum age limits within which children are eligible to participate. The age range which has been selected extends for almost 17 months, from the age of 3 years 3 months to 4 years 6 months. In September 2010, children born between 2 February 2006 and 30 June 2007 will be eligible for a free pre-school year place.

In setting these limits, account was taken of a number of factors including the differing enrolment policies of primary schools and the fact that the great majority of children commence primary school between the ages of 4 years and 6 months and 5 years and 6 months. It is accepted that children who commence primary school within two months of reaching their fourth birthday will not be able to benefit from the scheme.