Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Katherine Zappone today announced that for the first time, numbers in the free preschool scheme has surpassed 100,000.
Just two years ago, 68,333 four-year-olds were using the scheme to attend crèche and preschool,
For the first time ever the number of children in free childcare is over 100,000....a great milestone but much more work ahead.
— Katherine Zappone (@KZapponeTD) January 22, 2017
Since then there has been major development to the Early Childhood Care and Education (EDDE) scheme which resulted in it being extended to three-year-olds last September.
108,019 children are now using the scheme to gain access to early education.
In a statement released today by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, Minister Zappone said:
“The increase in uptake is testament to the success of the ECCE scheme in meeting the needs of families with 95% of eligible children participating.
95% of eligible 3 and 4 year olds now attending free childcare...a good first step in an important year for services in this country.
— Katherine Zappone (@KZapponeTD) January 22, 2017
“I am committed to building on this success to deliver childcare for everyone.
“By correcting years of under investment we will move Ireland from having one of the most expensive childcare systems in the world to having the best.”
First step for our radical new childcare plans..I will bring memo to Government Tuesday.
— Katherine Zappone (@KZapponeTD) January 22, 2017
The latest figures also revealed that 95pc of children who are eligible for the scheme are currently availing of it.
