Pre-school qualification age to be lowered
The age range for qualification for the free pre-school year is being lowered.
Children born on or between February 2, 2005, and June 30, 2006, are now eligible to enter the scheme in January next year.
The Government has also approved an increase in the capitation for pre-school services with highly qualified staff.
The latest figures show around 4,000 pre-school services have applied to enter the scheme with a capacity to provide 93,000 pre-school places.
Late applications are also being accepted over the coming weeks.
