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.

“I am not in a position to estimate what the cost would be but it seems likely that very substantial investment would be needed to provide an additional service to specific children.”

He said the introduction of a second year for all children would also require considerable additional funding “which is not currently available due to the financial constraints under which the Government is operating”.

“In addition, all of the available evidence indicates that the quality of the pre-school provision is key to good outcomes for children,” he said.

“The Early Years quality agenda is being progressed by my department. This involves a range of actions in key areas aimed at improving quality within early years services and enhancing the regulatory regime. These reforms are key building blocks for any further extension of universal childcare provision.”

Mr Reilly said he had established an inter-departmental group to look at provision across the 0-6 age group which would include provisions for children with special needs.