Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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485. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the consultation process which she plans to hold with parents of children with disabilities ahead of the proposed changes to the over age exemption in the free preschool programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53137/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I have committed to consulting further with parents of children with disabilities before a decision is made on the future of the over-age exemption for the ECCE scheme.

Approximately 500 children have availed of the exemption every year since ECCE was introduced in 2010.

My officials are working closely with the Department of Education and Skills in designing the consultation and also taking advice from the Cross Sectoral Implementation Group (CSIG) of the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM). CSIG includes senior officials from the Department of Education and Skills, National Council for Special Education, National Disability Authority, City/Community Childcare Committees, Pobal and representatives of parents of children with disabilities and Early Years providers.

I will publish details of the consultation when available and am committed to having it completed by mid 2018.