Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 March 2025
412. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she will consider a second lower age eligibility criteria for children starting the ECCE scheme to prevent families from missing out on a full-year of the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13027/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current lower age range for ECCE eligibility was set based on a number of considerations. Firstly, 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.It should also be noted that 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.
An independent review of the ECCE Programme was completed last year with the final report published last October. This review examined how the Programme is currently functioning and identified enhancements that could be made based on comprehensive stakeholder engagement with children, parents, ECCE providers and educators. The current ECCE eligibility criteria were examined as part of this review.
