Free pre-school year will help families who need it most and protect local jobs

The introduction by the Government in the Supplementary Budget of a free pre-school year has been welcomed by local Fianna Fáil TD Sean Connick.

The scheme is expected to benefit some 70,000 children every year. "The provision of a free pre-school year will help families who most need assistance and it will also crucially help maintain jobs in the childcare sector."

"This aim of the scheme is to provide one year of quality pre-school education to children in the year prior to entry into primary school."

"The provision of a year’s free pre-school to all children will promote equality of opportunity at the most important development stage of children’s lives. Regardless of income or ability to pay, all children will be entitled to avail of this pre-school service."

"Children enrolled in playschools will receive free pre-school provisions of 3 hours per day, 5 days each week over a 38 week year."

"All children aged between 3 years and 3 months and 4 years and 6 months at September 1 each year will be eligible."

"All community and private pre-school services which meet the requirements of the scheme will be invited to apply for entry to the scheme and all notified pre-school services will be contacted by the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs by the end of May."

"The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Barry Andrews TD will be introducing the scheme from January of next year."

"Fianna Fail in Government has prioritised investment in childcare, dedicating some €1 billion in developing childcare infrastructure over the last decade. This significant investment in infrastructure has made it possible to introduce this pre-school year," concluded Deputy Connick.