Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 218: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if he will review the application of a person (details supplied) for a second year on the early childhood care and education scheme for them due to the persons special needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11972/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The free Preschool Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme was introduced in January 2010 as a universal programme to provide children with a free preschool year, normally in the year before they commence primary school. There is no entitlement under the ECCE programme for a second year of free preschool provision. Where a child has special needs, his or her parents can apply to have the preschool year split over two years on a pro-rata basis, for example, availing of the scheme for two days a week in the first year and for three days a week in the second year. However, I understand that the pro-rata option has not been availed of in the case referred to by the Deputy and the child in question will have availed of the full free preschool provision at the end of this academic year.

Under the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme which is also implemented by this Department, funding is provided to community-based child-care services to enable them to charge reduced child-care and preschool fees to families on low incomes. Parents and children holding medical or GP visit cards will qualify for a weekly subvention payment of €33 towards the cost of a preschool place, regardless of whether they have already benefited from the ECCE programme. Further information regarding the CCS programme can be obtained from the local City or County Childcare Committee.