Cork TD sees ‘urgent need for investment’ in pre-school scheme

A Cork TD has said the plan to add an hour per day for children who avail of free pre-school in Budget 2026 “underscores the urgent need for investment” in education.

Currently, the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme provides children in the eligible age range with two years of early learning and childcare for three hours per day, five days per week, for 38 weeks per year.

Speaking to The Echo, a spokesperson for the Department of Children, Disability, and Equality said that the Government has committed to “explore making available an extra hour of ECCE each day in the second year of pre-school”.

This commitment was informed by an independent review of the ECCE programme — published in October of last year — that examined how the ECCE is supporting children and families in its current form, and identified any potential improvements.

“A recommendation in the review to increase the number of hours available through the programme was informed by a thorough review of national and international research, as well as feedback from children participating in the programme,” the spokesperson said.

“The evidence suggests that longer hours can have benefits for child development, social and emotional outcomes, as well as school-readiness. These benefits are magnified for children from disadvantaged and more vulnerable backgrounds, provided that the pre-school is of high quality.”

The spokesperson added that the department is developing a detailed action plan to build “an affordable, high-quality, accessible early learning and childcare system”.

“Enhancements to the ECCE programme will be one of a series of options considered in the context of the upcoming estimates process to address affordability and accessibility of early learning and childcare,” the spokesperson said.

Sinn Féin Cork South Central TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire said that while any financial relief to families and developmental benefits for children is welcome, the proposed one-hour extension is only “a drop in the ocean” for what is needed.

“It is evident that one additional hour a day will have a positive impact on the learning and development for children in pre-school,” said Mr Ó Laoghaire.

“Many parents whose children receive an additional two hours a day believe that their children are miles ahead of those who stay until midday.

“This underscores the urgent need for investment in this area and for the roll-out of this proposed extension to commence immediately.

“The programme for government commits to reducing childcare to €200 per month, [yet] I have seen very few measures taken to ensure that this is fulfilled,” Mr Ó Laoghaire added.

“Parents are struggling with the increasing costs of childcare, with many contemplating the decision to go back to work or to remain at home as they struggle with the out-of-control cost-of-living crisis.”

Mr Ó Laoghaire further highlighted the ongoing challenge that parents in Cork face when trying to secure a place in a creche or pre-school.

“There is a major shortage of spaces in childcare facilities and pre-schools,” he said. “Many parents must battle to get a place for their child.

“The proposed extensions of an additional hour a day will naturally increase demand in pre-school services. The Government has failed to outline or prepare for how they are going to provide the staff or places for children to cater for this increased capacity.

“The proposal scratches the surface, while the core issues facing the sector are unaffordability for many families, unsustainability for providers, and inaccessibility for hundreds of children.”