2979. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if greater flexibility and parental discretion can be introduced to the early childhood care and education scheme in cases where a child misses the strict annual September age cut-off date by a matter of days; if provisions can be considered to allow such children to access their full two-year preschool allocation without being forced to defer primary school entry to an age their parents deem inappropriate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61842/26]

The ECCE programme is available to all children within the eligible age range. 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.

It is important to note that all children are eligible for 2 years of free preschool under the ECCE programme. However, ECCE is not a mandatory scheme and it is at the Parents'/Guardians’ discretion if a child avails of the full two years.

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.

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.

All changes to the Programme will require a thorough review of the evidence and consideration of the impacts on children, parents, and preschool providers.

Any changes to the ECCE Programme must 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.