Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 342: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the financial support offered to projects directed at supporting those at risk of entering residential care to remain within the community. [38483/11]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy with the most up-to-date information.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 343: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding an application in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38578/11]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, which is implemented by my Department, was introduced in January 2010 and provides a free preschool year to all eligible children in the year before commencing primary school. Almost every preschool service in the State is participating in the programme, ensuring it is available to children in all areas.

The ECCE programme introduced a requirement for preschool leaders in participating services to hold an early childhood qualification equivalent to a full FETAC Level 5 award. The delay in processing the application by the child care service referred to by the Deputy was due to the service's failure to forward evidence of the required qualification to the Childcare Directorate of my Department. I understand that this documentation has now been received and that the capitation payment for the first term of the free preschool year for the children enrolled in this service was processed on 25 October 2011.