Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the office of the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this issue for discussion. I welcome that the Minister has secured €900,000 for allocation in 2013 to the delivery of training modules in the early child care sector. While it is a modest sum given there are 4,300 service providers throughout Ireland it is to be welcomed.

During the summer I published a discussion paper entitled Investing in Tomorrow, one of the key objectives of which is support for and professionalising of the early child care workforce by way of a professional early childhood training fund based on a needs-led targeted approach. I do not believe that the model being advanced by the Department will ensure a needs-led targeted approach is taken. The allocation being provided relates to level 5 and 6 training provision. However, it has been demonstrated by various reports and in a "Prime Time" exposé that there are gaps and deficiencies not only at level 5 and 6 but across the spectrum, including at managerial level. Can the Minister confirm this evening that the restricted criteria set out in respect of the 2013 allocation will not be repeated in respect of the 2014 allocation?

I also have grave concerns in regard to the manner in which this allocation was made. Can the Minister clarify if in relation to the €900,000 training fund public procurement procedures were followed, in particular the number of training agencies approached to tender for this work? The target in respect of the number of people who can avail of this training scheme is 630. Was any formal value for money analysis undertaken to determine if this is indeed value for money? Also, as it is a requirement in terms of eligibility for this funding that a provider deliver level 5 and 6 training what is the reason for the selection of one of the agencies, which is not accredited to deliver level 6 training?

A communication has been brought to my attention by a senior official in the Minister's Department in which it is acknowledged that an allocation has been given to two agencies. The word "given" would indicate to me that due process and procurement were not followed. This limits the options of learners and practitioners to only two agencies. It appears from that communication that no criteria has been set out in regard to how this money is to be spent and that this money will not be spent evenly across the country. It appears also that this €900,000 of taxpayers' money is being spent in a highly irregular manner, which lacks transparency and is unfair and uncompetitive. I would welcome the Minister's clarification on how the two agencies concerned were selected to provide the training.

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