John Clendennen (Offaly, Fine Gael)
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384. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she will review the eligibility in the ECCE scheme for a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23063/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme is a universal two year pre-school programme available to all children within the eligible age range of 2 years and 8 months to 5 years and 6 months. A child must have reached 2 years and 8 months of age on or prior to 31 August of the relevant programme year to be eligible. A child must not reach 5 years and 6 months on or before June 30th of each programme year.

This current arrangement ensures all families have the option to avail of 2 full years of the Programme. Under previous arrangements there were high levels of variance as to children's eligibility depending on their birth month.

An independent review of the ECCE Programme has recently been completed. As part of this review the issue of ECCE age eligibility was examined in detail. Department officials are exploring options to amend the ECCE age criteria, as committed to in the most recent Programme for Government. Any changes to these parameters will be informed by the findings of the ECCE review and comprehensive consultation with parents, children and providers who are impacted by the Scheme.

Finally, I would encourage your constituent to engage with their local City or County Childcare Committee who can support and advise them on alternative childcare solutions in their local area. The National Childcare Scheme can be used to reduce the cost of early learning and childcare outside of the ECCE Programme with a minimum of €2.14 per child per hour available.