Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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657. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to a situation (details supplied); if this is happening in other playschools; the actions which can be taken for this family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13437/21]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme is a universal free two-year pre-school programme available to all children within the eligible age range.

A child must have reached 2 years and 8 months of age on or prior to 31 August of the relevant programme year to be eligible for the September start date and a child cannot turn 5 years and 6 months of age during the course of the ECCE programme year.

The Government decision to allow ECCE to resume, from March 08 is confined to children registered on the ECCE programme, vulnerable children or children of essential workers.

Subject to public health advice, other restrictions on access to early learning and childcare will be lifted on 29 March so that all other children can return to services.

This cautious and phased reopening schedule is essential as we work towards a safe resumption of all early learning and childcare services.