2935. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children availing of ECCE, by year, from 2022 to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61694/26]

The ECCE Programme is a free, two year preschool programme available to all children within the eligible age range. It provides children with their first formal experience of early learning prior to commencing primary school. ECCE is not a mandatory scheme and it is at the Parents'/Guardians’ discretion if the child avails of the full two years.

Please see below a table showing the number of unique children attending ECCE for each calendar year from 2022 to 2026 inclusive.

*Information on registered children provided by the scheme administrator Pobal on 19/08/2026. Registrations are currently being received for the ECCE 2026/27 programme year, and the figure reported for 2026 will increase significantly in the coming weeks.