Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent)
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511. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the basis for changing the eligibility criteria for the ECCE programme, in particular the reduction of age eligibility from three years to two years and eight months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11119/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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From September 2018, all children meeting the minimum age requirement of 2 years and 8 months will be eligible for a full two programme years on the Early Childhood Care and Education programme (ECCE). This measure refines the development introduced last year, whereby three intake dates were adopted, and will increase the duration of each registered child on ECCE from a current average of 61 weeks, to a potential duration of 76 weeks (two programme years). This further enhancement delivers fully on a commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government that is good for children, families and Early Years providers. The second year of ECCE required either an increase in the upper age limit for ECCE, or a reduction in the lower age limit. The latter was chosen and is consistent with the law in this country with regard to school start age and the associated policy of the Department of Education and Skills.

This minimum age was chosen based on national experience and a review of international practice. It also had regard to the regulatory environment for early years care and education in this country and issues such as child development readiness and adult-child ratios. The upper age limit will remain the same (i.e. child is not eligible if they will be 5 years and 6 months before the end of the programme year).

This new measure will address the situation whereby there was a wide range in the number of free preschool weeks a child could avail of – between 61 and 88 weeks – and will ensure a programme that is equitable for all children.

The number of entry points will revert to one at the beginning of the programme year (September). One enrolment period at the start of the pre-school year will help streamline the administration process and will make it easier for childcare providers to operate and budget for the programme year. This will also make it easier for parents to secure places on the ECCE programme for their children.