Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 December 2025
818. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will clarify the basis for requirement of ECCE deductions to be spread over 10 months rather than 12 months; and the impact this has on monthly costs for parents. [70298/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme provides free universal pre-school to children in the eligible age range. The programme is provided for three hours per day, five days per week over 38 weeks per year. The programme year runs from the end of August to the following June in line with the primary school year.
Early Learning and Care services are contracted with this Department to provide ECCE at no cost to the parent and are subject to the programme's rules.
The weekly ECCE capitation is €69.00 and is paid pro rata to the number of days a child is registered for the ECCE programme year.
Under the ECCE programme rules where a child is availing of additional childcare to the ECCE hours, the capitation paid must be deducted from the parents childcare fee over the 38-week period the child is attending the ECCE programme and not spread over 52 weeks.
Spreading the ECCE capitation deduction over 52 weeks would result in a delay for parents receiving full credit for the ECCE capitation the provider has already received.
Additionally, if a child were to leave the service before the 52 weeks had elapsed there is a risk the parent may not receive the full benefit of the ECCE capitation already paid to the provider. Deducting the ECCE capitation over 38 weeks ensures there is no monetary loss to any parent.
