Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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1206. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to allow children whose birthdays fall a matter of days outside the limits to be accepted for the second free pre-school year on a discretionary basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10183/16]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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In Budget 2016 it was announced that, from September 2016, children will be eligible to start free pre-school when they reach the age of 3, and can continue in free pre-school until they start primary school (once the child is not older than 5½ years at the end of the pre-school year i.e. end June). The age range for eligibility for children enrolling for the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme in September 2016 is 1 January 2012 to the 31 August 2013.

The eligibility criteria for national schemes must be strictly adhered to. Exceptions to these criteria can only currently be made in the event that a child has been diagnosed as having a special/additional need. Any request for an exemption from ECCE eligibility criteria must be supported by a medical assessment report from the HSE/medical specialist, specifying the child's special need and diagnosis. In such a case, an application should be made to the Early Years Policies and Programmes Unit of my Department, attaching a supporting medical report.