Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 172: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason a child (details supplied) who is enrolled for a place in a primary school to start in September 2011 is not eligible for the ECCE scheme this September 2010; if this child will be eligible for the ECCE scheme in January 2011 if she is not eligible for September 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30466/10]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 173: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her estimation on the number of children nationally that through no fault of their own end up not being eligible for the ECCE scheme for this year due to their dates of birth; the plan to make the ECCE scheme accessible to all children to avail of the scheme this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30467/10]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 172 and 173 together.

I have responsibility for implementing the free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme, which was introduced in January of this year. Children qualify for a free pre-school year place when they are aged more than 3 years 2 months and less than 4 years 7 months at 1 September each year. This means that children born between 2 February 2007 and 30 June 2008 will qualify in September 2011. From the information provided by the Deputy, the child in question is not eligible for the scheme in September this year but will be eligible in September 2011.

In setting the minimum and maximum age limits, account was taken of a number of factors, including the fact that the majority of children commence primary school between the ages of 4 years 6 months and 5 years 6 months. Notwithstanding this, the ECCE scheme provides for an eligibility range of almost 17 months. The upper age limit does not apply where children are developmentally delayed and would benefit from participating in the pre-school year at a later age.

Children who fall outside of the qualifying age range for the scheme in 2010 and are not already above the upper age limit for the scheme, will qualify for it in 2011 and beyond. While it is not mandatory for parents to enrol qualifying children in the ECCE scheme, more than 80% of these children availed of the scheme in January 2010 and a higher uptake is expected in September 2010. The cohort of children who would be expected to avail of the ECCE scheme in 2010, and commence primary school in 2011, is estimated to number approximately 64,000.

The objective of the ECCE scheme is to make early learning in a formal setting available to all children in the key developmental year before they commence primary school. To achieve this, services participating in the pre-school year will be expected to provide appropriate age related activities and programmes to children within a particular age cohort. Targeting the pre-school year at a particular age cohort is clearly fundamental to the scheme and it is necessary, therefore, to set minimum and maximum limits to the age range within which children will participate in the scheme each year.

As in the case of any scheme introduced, cases will arise where individuals would rather that certain conditions did not apply. However, it is necessary that the scheme is delivered within a structure which supports the best delivery of pre-school education and it is considered therefore that the age range provided for is appropriate. Arrangements are already in place for the pre-school year which is due to commence in September 2010 and these do not provide for any amendment or reduction in the lower age for eligibility.

I wish to add that funding is also provided by this Office to support the Community Childcare Subvention Scheme (CCSS) which enables community-based childcare services to provide childcare at reduced rates to disadvantaged and low income families. The local City or County Childcare Committee will advise of the community childcare facilities in its area which are participating in the CCSS.