Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 January 2026
495. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will consider greater flexibility for entry dates for the ECCE programme, particularly if a child has only missed an entry date by a short period of time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5221/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe ECCE programme is available to all children within the eligible age range. As you are aware a child must have reached 2 years and 8 months of age on or prior to 31st August of the relevant programme year to be eligible for the 1st of September start date.
The minimum eligibility age of 2 years and 8 months was chosen based on national experience and a review of international practice. It also had regard to the regulatory environment for early years’ education and care in this country and issues such as child development readiness and adult-child ratios. There is no provision for a child to start ECCE prior to their eligibility date.
The Department accepts that the use of age limits in a scheme such as ECCE creates a situation whereby a child can fall just outside the age range, however, the Department must place an age cut-off at some point, and in the interests of fairness and consistency there can be no discretion in this regard.
On foot of the ECCE review and in line with the Programme for Government commitment to “evaluate options to amend the ECCE eligibility criteria”, Department officials are considering changes to the ECCE age criteria. Any change to the ECCE programme, such as age eligibility criteria or greater flexibility for entry dates, will require a thorough review of the evidence available and consideration of the impacts on the relevant children, parents and preschool providers.
