Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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630. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will consider extending the free preschool year to 48 weeks to bring it in line with the primary school system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28047/14]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The Early Childhood Care and Education programme was introduced in January 2010 and provides a free preschool year to all eligible children before commencing primary school. Approximately 68,000 children are availing of the provision in the current academic year.

The programme is designed to be delivered for three hours per day, five days per week, over 38 weeks (183 days per year), and is based on the primary school model, under which primary schools are required to open on 193 days per year (equivalent to 38.6 weeks).