Ms Karen McCarthy:

-----and the experience. There is a learner fund working group where we discuss that type of thing, that is, trying to recognise experience when it is a relevant qualification. In terms of the learner fund for this year, they are looking outside of the box. They are not only looking at FETAC levels 5, 6 and 7 in a child care qualification.

In terms of the access and inclusion model, AIM, there was a change in the legislation recently to allow the skill base that would be most relevant to support a child's needs. They would not need a child care related qualification. If it was a nursing qualification or sign language, whatever the qualification, there is a small tweak in the legislation to allow that they are not required to have a child care qualification. It allows more applicants, particularly the special needs assistants who would have been the primary person who would have supported children in services up until now and would not have a specific early years only qualification.