Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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623. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her Department is considering the administration of preschool places on a geographical basis or if it is a matter of parental choice as to where to take up a preschool place for a qualifying child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9288/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme was introduced in January 2010 and provides for one year's free pre-school attendance for each eligible child before commencing primary school. Approximately 68,000 children availed of the free pre-school year in the 2012/2013 academic year and €175 million funding was made available to support the provision.

Children born between 2 February 2010 and 30 June 2011 will qualify for the free pre-school provision in the school year commencing in September 2014. The ECCE programme is available to all eligible children in private and community childcare facilities throughout the country. It is a matter for parents to select a pre-school service which is participating in the programme and which has a vacancy for their child.