Dara Murphy (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 130: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the provision of a place for a person (details supplied) in County Cork in the early childhood care and education scheme; if the scheme is open to second time applicants; and if not, are there arrangements available for this person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9921/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, which was introduced in January 2010, is a universal programme which provides children with one free pre-school year prior to commencing primary school.

There is no entitlement under the programme to any additional provision. The programme does, however, include a number of provisions to take account of children with special needs. These include an exemption from the upper age limit for qualification under the programme where a child is developmentally delayed and would benefit from starting primary school at a later age. In addition, children with special needs can apply to have the pre-school year split over two years on a pro-rata basis, for example availing of the scheme for 2 days a week in the first year and for 3 days a week in the second year.

While some children with special needs are availing of the free pre-school year in specialist services, many are availing of it in mainstream settings, or a mixture of the two. In February 2010, shortly after the introduction of the programme, to ensure a coherent approach to service provision and supports for children with special needs across both specialist and mainstream settings, the Office asked the Office of Disability and Mental Health was asked to set up a Working Group to look at existing services and supports for pre-school children with special needs and the way in which these are allocated. This group is expected to report shortly.

A limited number of children with severe disabilities who had availed of the programme in the introductory short-year period of January to June 2010, were approved on an exceptional basis for re-entry to the scheme in September of that year, the first full year of the programme. Each request was examined taking account of the information provided in detailed assessment reports. I understand that an application for a second free pre-school year was made on behalf of the child referred to by the Deputy but that the information provided did not confirm a diagnosis of severe disability and re-entry to the programme was not approved.