Second free year of preschool ‘is a no-go’

A second free preschool year for all children is not possible because there are not enough places available, according to research.

An Early Childhood Ireland study calls for an extra €500m a year to be spent by 2021 to extend paid parental leave to one year on a phased basis, increase payments to current providers of the one year of free preschool, grants to widen access to children with special needs, and subsidised out-of-school childcare for older children.

But the report by University of Limerick economics lecturer Stephen Kinsella also warns against plans to provide a second year of State-funded preschool.