State: We cannot afford second free pre-school year

Children’s Minister Dr James Reilly has said he believes a second free pre-school year would benefit children’s educational and developmental outcomes — but claims the State cannot afford the extra €175m it would require.

However, Dr Reilly says a second year is being considered as one of the options for the future.

The minister was asked by Independent TD Shane Ross, through a parliamentary question, what the current early childhood care and education (ECCE) scheme was costing.