331. Deputy Tom Barry asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his views on introducing a grandfather clause for existing Montessori-preschool providers who have considerable qualifications and years of experience so that they may qualify for the higher capitation grant under the early childhood care and education scheme. [6810/15]

The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme is implemented by my Department and provides a free pre-school year for all children before they commence primary school.

It is currently a requirement of the programme that all the pre-school leaders in participating childcare services must hold, as a minimum, a qualification at Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications of Ireland (NFQ). A standard weekly capitation fee of €62.50 is paid for each eligible child participating in the ECCE programme in these services.

A higher capitation fee of €73 for each eligible child is payable to pre-school service providers where all the pre-school leaders delivering the ECCE programme hold a bachelor degree in childhood/early education (minimum of Level 7 on the National Framework for Qualifications (NFQ) or equivalent) and have 3 years experience working in the sector, and where all the pre-school assistants in the service hold a relevant major award in childcare/early education at Level 5 on the NFQ or its equivalent.

The minimum qualification requirement for pre-school leaders is being increased to Level 6 as part of the general increase in minimum qualifications across the sector. The minimum qualification for the higher capitation payment under the ECCE programmes will continue to be Level 7 and no consideration will be given to introducing the measure proposed by Deputy.