817. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the rational for ending the ECCE split-place exemptions from the 2026/2027 programme year. [21779/26]

818. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the impact assessment that was undertaken for the ending of the ECCE split-place exemptions in rural and oversubscribed areas; and if there is scope to reinstate the exemptions for families with no choice but to divide their childcare due to lack of availability. [21780/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 817 and 818 together.

The rationale behind the Department’s decision is based on the following factors:

To ensure that every child benefits fully from their time availing of the ECCE programme, it is considered ideal if they are situated within the same service provider 5 days per week.

A nationwide approach was considered when assessing the exemption. While the Department recognises that ECCE split place exemptions are in use by some families, the number of children availing of these exemptions is very small when compared to the overall population of children availing of ECCE. As ECCE is an educational programme and runs parallel with the primary school year this decision is intended to improve alignment with educational policy.

Removing the split place exemption is also intended to contribute toward providing certainty of capacity to both families and service providers by ensuring the appropriate level of provision is available to each child. If a new ECCE Programme child is registered for the ECCE programme from 2026/27 onward, a service provider must be able to provide the full 5 days per week provision.

Families that have already been granted a split place exemption for the current 2025/26 programme year can continue to use this provision for their second year of ECCE in 2026/27, if they choose to do so.