Funding deficit hits second free pre-school year

The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs has ruled out the introduction of a second free pre-school year, saying the “considerable additional funding” required is not available.

James Reilly also appeared to indicate that even providing a second year just for children with a disability would be too costly.

Responding to a parliamentary question from Fianna Fáil’s Michael McGrath, Mr Reilly said: “The introduction of a second free pre-school year for children with special needs would mean the putting in place of an assessment process whereby a range of childcare specialists would evaluate the diverse needs of such children and confirm diagnosis and severity of disability.