Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 January 2026
497. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if a childcare provider can terminate an ECCE placement if a parent reduces their child’s childcare hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3089/26]
View answerThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme is a universal free two-year programme available to all children within the eligible age range. The ECCE Programme is provided for 3 hours per day, 5 days per week over 38 weeks per programme year.
Early learning and care and school aged childcare services are provided by private enterprises, either privately owned or operated by community organisations. While service providers are contracted by the Department to provide ECCE at a subsidised rate to parents and guardians, as private entities, they are free to set their own admissions policies.
Under the ECCE rules, service providers must also offer free ECCE only sessions for the ECCE programme year. However, while not a condition of enrolment, part-time and full-time services may prioritise places for those who wish to avail of extra hours over those availing of ECCE only.
The Department funds a national network of County Childcare Committees (CCCs) who provide support and advice to parents and childcare providers. Parents who have concerns on any aspect of the ECCE programme including securing a place for their child should contact their local CCC, details of which can be found at www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/publications/city-and-county-childcare-committees/.
