No, but the free Pre-School Year scheme was introduced in January 2010 and is being administered by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. Under the scheme, all children aged between 3 years 2 months and 4 years 7 months in September of the relevant year are entitled to a free pre-school year of appropriate programme-based activities in the year prior to starting primary school. While participation is voluntary, 67,000 or 94% of eligible children are enrolled in pre-school services for the 2011/12 school year. Further information about the free Pre-School Year scheme is available from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs website