On the 4th May 2016 Dr. James Reilly, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, signed new Child Care Regulations (the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016) which will come into effect on a phased basis from 30th June 2016.  The new Regulations provide for pre-school services, that is, those services catering for children under the age of 6 who are not attending primary school.  More details here.