Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Workers and Unemployed Action Group)
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24. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide a second full free preschool year for all children from the beginning of the new school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14458/15]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Early Childhood Care and Education programme provides one free pre-school year to all eligible children before commencing primary school. This programme represents an annual investment of more than €170 million in pre-school services.

The introduction of a second pre-school year would require considerable additional funding, broadly in line with the cost of the current provision. This additional funding is not currently available due to the financial constraints under which the Government is operating. I would like to be in a position to increase our investment in childcare-related programmes. This will take time, as the benefits of growth generate the required resources. However, I am determined that all such spending, whether existing or additional, will be based on good evidence and strategically co-ordinated, so that we achieve the best possible benefits for children and parents.

As you are aware, the Inter-Departmental Group which I recently established will look at early years provision right across the 0 to 6 age group, as well as consider the after-school needs of school-going children. It is crucial that we develop a coherent whole-of-Government approach to investment in childcare services and the Group has been asked to report me by the Summer.

All of the available evidence indicates that the quality of the pre-school provision is key to good outcomes for children. The Early Years Quality Agenda is being progressed by my Department. This involves a range of actions in key areas aimed at improving quality within early years services and enhancing the regulatory regime.