Children’s Minister James Reilly extends free pre-school scheme

Children’s Minister James Reilly says enough places will be available in extending to a two-year period the free pre-school scheme amid warnings creches and service providers lack resources.

The Fine Gael minister told the Dáil there would be difficulties doubling the year-long scheme to two years for pre-school children. However, he said the existing scheme would continue for next year and 2017.

He said an estimated 89,500 children will be eligible to enrol in the programme from September 2016, with an extra 22,000 from January 2017 and a further 15,500 from April 2017.