Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

520. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the apparent discrepancy between the fact that the age limit on the ECCE programme requires that children be no more than five years and six months of age when finishing the programme, but that children are only required to start school when they are six years of age will be addressed. [11549/18]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

521. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the rationale for her Department's decision to set the age limit at five year and six months of age as the age by which children must complete participation in the ECCE programme. [11550/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 520 and 521 together.

The upper age limit for the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme was set in consultation with senior officials from the Early Years Education Policy Unit in the Department of Education and Skills. It ensures that children transition into primary school with their peers and limits the age range of children beginning primary school. Limiting the diversity in age ranges in children beginning primary school education is considered generally to be 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 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. An essential component of the ECCE scheme’s rules is an eligibility date to ensure that the scheme can be administered and budgeted for in an appropriate manner.