Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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423. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if a child (details supplied) in County Kerry who has special needs is entitled to a second free preschool year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36624/15]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme is a free and universal programme for all children in the eligible age cohort, including children with special needs.

The issue of access to the free pre-school year for children with special needs was considered when the ECCE programme was launched and a number of measures were introduced to make the programme more accessible for these children. The measures currently in place include an exemption from the upper age limit where a child would benefit from starting primary school at a later age. In addition, children with special needs can apply to have the pre-school year split over two years on a pro-rata basis, for example availing of the programme for 2 days a week in the first year and for 3 days a week in the second year.

The ECCE programme is currently provided for 3 hours per day, 5 days per week for 38 weeks. I understand that the child in question has used 11 weeks by 5 days followed by 27 weeks by 4 days of the ECCE provision in the 2014/15 school year. Officials in my Department have contacted the child's parents and asked them to forward a request for a pro-rata exemption together with evidence of special needs in order to enable the child to avail of the remaining 1 day per week over 27 weeks.