Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 69: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the continuation of the preschool year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24301/11]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The administration of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. The ECCE provides a universal entitlement to a free pre-school year for children aged between three years three months and four years six months on 1 September each year. Funding of the ECCE is a matter for the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and her Department to consider in the first instance, in the context of preparing their estimates for 2012 and future years and in the context of the Government's currently ongoing Comprehensive Review of Expenditure.