Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 May 2026
1026. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if a child (details supplied) can have an extra year on the ECCE programme before starting primary school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39955/26]
View answerThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme provides universal, free preschool to children in the eligible age range of 2 years and 8 months to 5 years and 6 months.
The upper age limit of 5 years and 6 months for the programme was set in consultation with the Department of Education and Youth and ensures that children transition to primary school with their peers and limits the age range of children beginning primary school.
All children born in 2021 are eligible for two free years of ECCE starting from September 2024 to June 2025 and a second year from September 2025 to June 2026.
Current policy requires that if a child is of school-going age, any request for an exemption to the upper age limit in the ECCE Programme must be supported by a letter from a medical specialist (not a GP/Public Health Nurse/Social Worker).
The Department do not offer a prescribed list of medical specialists, but examples of medical specialists could include speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, paediatricians, and psychologists.
Please note any letter of recommendation must specifically recommend why an ECCE preschool service would meet the child's specific needs in a more appropriate way than a primary school based on the medical specialists’ observations and diagnoses.
This requirement is not intended to undermine the view of a parent, or other, in relation to a child's needs, but rather, to maintain a clear and standard basis for applying exemptions.
