Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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254. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will address a matter regarding a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45343/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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The Early Childhood and Education Programme (ECCE) programme was expanded from September 2016 so that children may start free pre-school from age 3, and can continue in free pre-school once the child is not older than 5 years and 6 months at the end of the relevant pre-school year. Currently there are three different points in the year - September, January and April.

Under Budget 2018, the ECCE programme has been expanded further so that all eligible children can avail of a full two programme years. There will also only be one enrolment point each year (i.e September). However, I must advise the Deputy that these will not come into effect until September 2018.

An upper age limit in free pre-school was set by the Inter-Departmental Group on Future Investment on the advice of the Department of Education and Skills. Limiting the diversity in age ranges in primary school is considered to be generally in the best interest of children, in relation to peer interaction in junior infants, as well as other educational considerations.

The Department of Children and Youth Affairs does its best to ensure, in so far as is possible, the equitable treatment of all children and families who apply for childcare funding under the ECCE Programme. In order to ensure objectivity and fairness it is essential that clear rules exist for the scheme and that they are applied in a fair manner. The rules for all of the Department’s childcare schemes are clearly published to ensure transparency and consistent application. An essential component of the scheme’s rules is an eligibility date to ensure that the scheme can be administered and budgeted for in an appropriate manner.

There are many other childcare subsidies available and I would urge the parent of this child to contact their local County Childcare Committee (CCC) to enquire about their eligibility. The contact number for Monaghan CCC is 047 72896.