Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 208: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of children availing of the early child care year in County Laois; the number of providers of this service in County Laois; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34861/10]

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

I have responsibility for implementing the free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme, which was introduced in January this year. The number of pre-school services in County Laois, currently participating in the ECCE scheme, is seventy-six. All services participating in the scheme are required to return information to my Office at the start of each pre-school year in relation to the number of qualifying children attending, as services are funded on this basis. In this academic year, the returns were required by 24 September. While the information is still being processed, I understand at this point that some 1,360 children in County Laois are participating in the scheme.

Questions Nos. 209 and 210 answered with Question No. 170.