Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 146: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if having regard to further information consideration will be given for an extra preschool year in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12257/11]

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 2 days a week in the first year and for 3 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.