Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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284. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the circumstances under which it is possible for a child’s parents to apply for an early childhood care and education programme over-age exemption or deferral to delay their child’s entry into the ECCE programme; if he will outline the qualifying requirements for this exemption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5715/23]

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.

There is no discretion on eligible starting dates however it is possible, if a parent chooses to defer a starting date and avail of one year of ECCE only. 

In a limited number of circumstances, it is possible to apply for an exemption to the upper age limit of 5 years 6 months for finishing ECCE.

Current policy requires that any request for an exemption from ECCE eligibility for the 2023-24 programme year must be supported by a letter from a medical specialist / Social Worker (not a GP/PHN) specifically recommending why an ECCE service would meet the child’s specific needs in a more appropriate way than a primary school.

In a primary school setting, children with additional needs have access to a number of additional resources and are offered tailored supports to encourage age appropriate development and learning.

In deciding on applications for exemptions to the ECCE age requirements, my Department is guided by a review of the over-age exemption process which was carried out in 2018 by the National Disability Authority (NDA) for this Department and the Department of Education.

In their published report, the NDA concluded that it is in the best interest of children with additional needs to transition to primary school with their age cohort. 

Parents requiring additional supports for their child in a primary school setting should seek the assistance of the Department of Education and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) in this regard.