Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent)
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984. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the review of the eligibility criteria for the ECCE scheme; if that review will look at the lower age limit with a view to reducing the age limit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45298/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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As mentioned by the Deputy, an independent review of the ECCE Programme has recently been completed. Among other issues, it examined the issues of ratios for children participating in the ECCE Programme and possible flexibility with ECCE age eligibility. The findings from the review are being considered by my Department and will inform any potential changes to the Programme in the future.

The current ECCE eligibility criteria were set based on a number of considerations. The ECCE programme is a pre-school programme based on the National Practice Frameworks - Aistear and Síolta. 2 years and 8 months is considered the youngest age where a child has the capacity for this programme.

Additionally, the lower age range was set based on Tusla regulations for minimum adult to child ratios for children in early learning and childcare settings. These regulations take account of the needs and developmental stages of children such as toilet training and sleeping arrangements. The review of the ECCE programme found that the younger age range in pre-school might struggle with the ratios which is commonly 2 adults to 22 children in ECCE rooms.

Finally, the current arrangements also ensure that all children have the same entitlement of 2 years of ECCE regardless of their birth date whereas with previous arrangements this was not always the case.

The Department is currently considered the findings including the age eligibility issues having regard to original rationale and the feedback from the review.