Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

694. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated cost to increase the Building Blocks Improvement Grant allocation by 10%, 20%, 25% and 50%. [54880/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Some €69 million has been allocated over the period 2023-2025 to the early learning and childcare sector under the revised National Development Plan (NDP). This will enable significant capital investment in early learning and childcare across three pillars:

1. Building Blocks - Improvement Grant;

2. Building Blocks - Capacity Grant; and

3. Building Blocks - Innovation Grant.

This scheme is now closed and my Department does not have any further capital funding available for this grant scheme. The table below provides what would be the indicative costs of increasing the Building Blocks Improvement Grant allocation by varying percentages:

Last week I announced a €45 million Capital Grant for the Early Learning and Childcare sector - the Building Blocks – Capacity Grant. The purpose of the Building Blocks - Capacity Grant is to address capacity gaps by expanding existing provision and investing in the development of new provision where most needed.

My Department is undertaking a detailed needs analysis of supply and demand for Early Learning and Childcare and this analysis will identify areas of undersupply across the country and will allow the funding to be targeted at areas most in need.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

695. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a child (details supplied) with ASD who cannot secure a school placement can remain in preschool for an additional year provided there is space in the preschool; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54929/23]

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

696. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a child (details supplied) with ASD who cannot secure a school placement can remain in preschool for an additional year provided there is space in the preschool; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54930/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 695 and 696 together.

The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme provides universal, free preschool to children in the eligible age range of 2 years and 8 months to 5 years and 6 months.

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.

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.

It is important to note that the overage exemption for the ECCE programme was never intended as a mechanism to delay a child’s entry to primary school or to address any issue of non-availability of a school place.

Current policy requires that any request for an overage exemption from ECCE eligibility 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.

This requirement is not intended to undermine the view of a parent/teacher or other professional in relation to the child’s needs but, rather, to maintain a clear and standard basis for applying exemptions.

Examples of accepted specialist/medical recommendations are as follows:

·Speech and Language Therapist

·Occupational Therapist

·Senior Psychologist

·Physiotherapist

·Paediatrician/developmental Neurologist

·Psychiatrist

·Psychotherapist

·Cardiologist

·Oncologist

·Ophthalmologist

·Otolaryngologist (ENT specialist)

·Gastroenterologist

·Social Worker/Early Intervention Team

This is not an exhaustive list, however it provides an example of what is accepted.

If the parents of the child referred to can provide a letter of recommendation from one of the professionals listed above, my Department can begin to process her application as soon as it is received.

Applications for an overage exemption must be made by the parents and can be sent directly to my Department via email to eyqueries@equality.gov.ie. Applications cannot be considered without this documentation.