Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In the budget, €1.5 million was allocated for this year. It is quite significant. There has been a strong take-up already. We also gave funding to a number of the national organisations. When I meet those from the sector, they tell me that they are delighted to have the opportunity to get this subsidy and to do the training, and they are hugely motivated to do it.

Many in the sector are going way beyond the qualifications that we are laying down as statutory. Many have done degrees and masters in child care. In fact, their problem is that, unlike in other countries, there is not the career structure within the service for them. That is another challenge.