Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2026
789. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her proposals to address the issue of children born in January losing out on ECCE years due to the current age cut off point (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45383/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe ECCE programme provides up to two years of pre-school free of charge to families and has supported over 1 million children to attend regulated preschool for three hours per day over 38 weeks per year since its introduction in 2010. The age eligibility criteria for ECCE have evolved significantly over the lifetime of the programme. Owing to a number of factors, including challenges with the previous system of multiple entry points for children, parents, and providers, the age eligibility changed in 2018 to the current criteria, which provides two full years of ECCE for children starting at 2 years and 8 months to an upper age limit of 5 years and 6 months.
The ECCE programme is a pre-school programme based on the National Practice Frameworks - Aistear and Síolta. The current ECCE eligibility criteria were set based on a number of considerations, including national experience and a review of international practice. The lower age range is 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 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 in 2024. This review examined how the programme is currently functioning and identified potential enhancements, informed by extensive engagement with parents, children, ECCE providers and educators. The review included consideration of the current age eligibility criteria and the potential for greater flexibility within these criteria. This review found that the younger age range in pre-school might struggle with the ECCE programme ratios, which is commonly 1 adult to 11 children in ECCE rooms.
In line with the Programme for Government commitment to “evaluate options to amend the ECCE eligibility criteria”, Department officials are considering potential changes. Shaping the Future, the recently published Early Years Action Plan Phase 1 Report, notes that the potential to extend the ECCE free pre-school programme and amend the age-eligibility criteria will be included in consultations and analysis under Phase 2 of the Action Plan. Phase 2 actions, which will be undertaken from 2027 through to the end of 2029, will be published in Q4 2026. Before Phase 2 actions can be specified in line with the Programme for Government commitment, a broad public consultation process is currently underway.
Any changes to the ECCE Programme will need to be carefully considered and grounded in robust evidence. This includes assessing the impacts on children’s development, families, ECCE providers and educators, as well as ensuring consistency, equity and sustainability across the programme.
