Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)

I agree with the Deputy on the opportunity the ECCE scheme presents in that 95% of our three to five year olds are attending these services, and quality is of the utmost importance as well as top quality training for the staff delivering the service. In that regard, another important element on which I am sure the Deputy would agree with me is to involve the parents where there are opportunities to do so.

The scheme is a good place for parents to have the opportunity to discuss their children's development and progress. The services need to be encouraged to involve parents as much as possible. We certainly want the two quality frameworks the Deputy mentioned, Síolta and Aistear, to be implemented and adhered to throughout the country.

See this speech in context