Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, funded by my Department, provides universal, free pre-school to children within 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 where a child has special/additional needs. An exemption has already been granted for the child named for the current ECCE programme year. There is no provision for granting a second overage exemption.

The National Disability Authority (NDA) in 2018, carried out a review of the over-age exemption process 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.

Supports are available for school aged children through the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), affiliated to the Department of Education, to support children in the primary school setting. I would urge the child’s parents to contact her local Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO) for further assistance at ncse.ie/special-educational-needs-organiser-seno .