Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 203: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if an urgent review of a late application for early childhood care and education scheme can be undertaken in the case of a pre school (details supplied) in County Kildare in order that they can avail of same from January 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47746/10]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I have responsibility for implementing the free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme, which provides for a free pre-school year for eligible children in the year before they commence primary school.

Childcare services wishing to participate in the ECCE scheme must be in a position to provide the free pre-school provision when the school year commences in September of the relevant year. It is a requirement of the scheme that participating sessional services provide the free pre-school provision for 3 hours a day, five days a week for 38 weeks each year and full or part time services provide the free pre-school provision for 2 hours 15 minutes each day, five days each week for 50 weeks each year. It would not be possible for services to enter the scheme after the commencement of the school year and provide the full pre-school provision required under the scheme.

Childcare services that did not meet the deadline for entry to the scheme in the current school year should contact the local City and County Childcare Committee early in 2011 to establish what arrangements are in place for entry to the scheme in the school year commencing in September 2011.