Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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649. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children of relevant age not attending an ECCE programme in 2023 and 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15494/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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ECCE is a free two-year pre-school programme available to all children within the eligible age range. ECCE is a play based learning programme. The programme runs from September to June each year, aligned with the primary school calendar. ECCE is not mandatory, but is very successful, with an estimated 96% of children in the eligible age rang attending.

The estimated number of eligible children to the ECCE programme is based on Department of Social Protection child benefit data. Not all children attend both years of ECCE. Some parents prefer to start their child in primary school rather than avail of the second year of ECCE. It is estimated the 17% of those eligible to a second year of ECCE are enrolled in primary school based on Department of Education data.

To ensure that all children can access ECCE, the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) provides a range of supports which enable children with disabilities to access the ECCE programme. AIM resources do not require a diagnosis and are allocated based on a child’s individual needs.

Aside from this mainstream provision, the Department of Education and Youth provides the following supports:

• Early Intervention preschool classes for children with autism
• Home Tuition Grant Scheme for children who, for specific reasons, are unable to attend preschool
• Early Start, a programme designed to boost educational achievement among disadvantaged children