Tom Neville (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In the interests of transparency I inform the committee that I am a director of a not-for-profit community child care facility. My question to the Minister is about the rural aspect of this matter. I very much welcome the scheme. It marks a shift, not only in helping parents but also in broader economic terms to facilitate those who need to find work. Is this about centralising child care services or moving people to the bigger centres? I know that many rural child care facilities help to keep local schools running. They are a conduit in rural Ireland. If that service can continue to be provided, schools will stay open. The automatic psychology is that the child care facility will act as a feeder for the local school, although it is not the only reason the facilities have been provided. It is, however, a knock-on effect and they breath life back into an area.

My second query is about qualifications. If I am off the point, the Chairman can flag it for me. Obviously, there are particular qualifications required. Will the Minister indicate if there is any thought within the Department for those who may have considerable experience in child care - I am talking about individuals with long experience - but who may not have the specific qualifications outlined by it? They may, however, have other qualifications that may be health related. Has the Department looked at broadening the spectrum of qualifications to take into account the fact that there are people with long experience? Could a top-up examination or an assessment be undertaken based on the length of their experience? In rural areas especially we are talking about very small child care facilities provided by a person with extremely long service in child care who may have to take examinations. It will put pressure on their businesses if they have to hire someone with qualifications to look after them. Oftentimes it will not be commercially viable to do this. The extra workload involved in this regard should also be considered. Will the Minister indicate if any thought has been given to this aspect of the scheme? The point on vocational experience arose following the launch of other apprenticeship schemes last week. I wonder, therefore, if there has been any thought process on this aspect.