Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 178: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will consider correspondence (details supplied) regarding special needs education for a child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16077/11]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme was introduced in January 2010 as a universal programme to provide children with a free pre-school year, normally in the year before they commence primary school.

There is no entitlement under the ECCE programme for a second year of free pre-school provision. Where a child has special needs, his or her parents 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. 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 pre-school provision at the end of this academic year.