Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The ECCE programme is available to all children within the eligible age range. The child referred to was eligible for ECCE in September 2022 and for a second year in September 2023.

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 an over age exemption can be given to enable children with additional needs to remain in ECCE past this age limit. Current policy requires that any request for an 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.

My Department has received an application for an overage exemption for the child in question and is engaging with the parents on matters arising in the course of assessing and determining the application.

In making determinations on applications for over age exemptions, 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, rather than being held back with children of a younger age. The report also sought to ensure that schools offer all the assistance necessary to meet the child's needs, with the assistance of the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).