Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
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564. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he would consider more flexibility with the ECCE hours to accommodate parents on shift work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22592/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme is a free universal two-year preschool programme available to all children within the eligible age range. It provides children with their first formal experience of early learning prior to commencing primary school. The programme is provided for three hours per day, five days per week over 38 weeks per year and the programme year runs from September to June each year. ECCE sessions can take place in the morning or afternoon depending on the operating hours of the preschool.

Any change to the design features of the ECCE programme such as the hours offered under the scheme required a thorough review of the evidence available and consultation with the children, parents and preschool providers affected by this proposed change. To this end, I have appointed Stranmillis University College, Belfast to undertake an independent review of the ECCE programme. The review will assess whether the ECCE Programme is meeting its core objectives and will identify any changes or improvements that can be made to the Programme, based on international evidence and experience to date.

The review will also examine session times and number of hours offered through ECCE. As part of the ECCE Review, there will be a wide stakeholder engagement which will include parents and preschool providers. The review is due to conclude in H2 of 2023.

The Deputy may wish to note the National Childcare Scheme which may be more appropriate to the issue of shift work. The NCS is designed so that families receive an allocation of hours which can be used at any time during a week. For example a family who want to use 30 hours of early learning and childcare per week can apply their subsidy to 6 hours per day, 5 days per week; or apply the subsidy 10 hours per day, 3 days per week. The level of funding starts at €1.40 per hour and rises to €5.10 per hour depending on age of the child and the family's household income. An allocation of up to 45 hours per week is available depending on whether all parents are in work or study.

The NCS is designed to accommodate different family's circumstances and working arrangements and flex according to their needs. The particular arrangements are a matter between the service provider and family depending on their service offer. Further information on the NCS is available at ncs.gov.ie.