Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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910. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to reinstate ECCE for those attending school in September 2020 in view of the fact they have missed three months of learning; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11055/20]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme is a free universal pre-school programme available to all children within the eligible age range.

ECCE services are operated by childcare providers under contract to my Department.  The ECCE contract year runs from late August to end June each year.

Childcare services are permitted to reopen from 29 June under the Government's Roadmap for the Reopening of Society and Business.  ECCE services do not operate in July and August, and so the ECCE programme will reopen on August 24th for the 2020-2021programme year.