Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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304. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason for the delay in processing an application for the operation of a school (details supplied). [49281/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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As the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to them for a direct reply.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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305. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason that his Department insists on an age requirement to participate in ECCE; the reason a child (details supplied) has been advised that it is not possible to participate in ECCE in 2022; if he will review this regulation thereby empowering parents to determine when the child will participate in the ECCE year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49288/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme is a universal 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 child referred to is eligible to begin ECCE in September 2023 and avail of a second year in September 2024.

The minimum eligibility age of 2 years and 8 months for the ECCE programme was chosen based on national experience and a review of international practice. It also had regard to the regulatory environment for early years education and care in this country and issues such as child development readiness and adult-child ratios.

The upper age limit of 5 years and 6 months for ECCE was set in consultation with the Department of Education and ensures that children transition into primary school with their peers.

I accept that the use of age limits in a scheme such as ECCE creates a situation whereby a child can fall just outside the age range, however, my Department have to place an age cut-off at some point, and in the interests of fairness and consistency there can be no discretion in this regard.

My Department 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 evenly.

I recently announced that my Department has commenced a 12-month review of ECCE this year which will consider whether ECCE is meeting its objectives and subject to the findings consider whether any changes need to be made. As part of this review, there will be a wide stakeholder engagement. The report of the review is due for completion in Q3 of 2023.