Dr. Fergal Lynch:

Two different types of training are involved. The first is training relating specifically to child protection and supports. The second, in respect of which we are unashamedly applying pressure, relates to training to be child care specialists. I make no apology for the latter because of the importance of having appropriately qualified and trained people to work with our youngest children.

We are supporting both. In the case of child care providers, for example, we have a learner fund which we have funded in recent years as well as other supports. We have laid great emphasis on training of that kind to be given to children. This expands well beyond child protection. This is the training we need to give and should give to early years providers across the board. We have a major project in place to implement the various provisions from the budget. Specifically, these include the affordable child care scheme and the amalgamation of the existing early years payments into an affordable child care scheme. The extension of what was known as the free preschool year into effectively two years is another measure. We are not simply providing money purely for the cost of providing the service. We are also supporting other key components, including training and support. I am conscious that those in the sector see themselves as low paid, and they are low paid. A challenge for us in that context is that we are not the direct employers.