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

I welcome the allocation of moneys for training; that is not an issue. I asked whether that funding would be restricted next year to the provision of training at FETAC levels 5 and 6. The standard of staff training in some facilities is already very high. I visited one in Kinnegad recently, for example, where every member of staff has at least a level 5 qualification and most are qualified to level 6. In such instances, staff might have a different requirement in regard to training. My concern is that under the model introduced by the Minister, those staff would be precluded from accessing it.

Will the Minister clarify that there is no public procurement requirement in respect of the €900,000 of taxpayers' money set aside to deliver this training? I have no issue with Early Childhood Ireland, a representative and voluntary body that is doing good work. However, there are other training providers, including the education and training boards. Why were they not considered as part of this programme? On the other hand, the Border Counties Childhood Network is not even accredited to deliver training at FETAC level 6. In fact, I am informed that the Department was not even aware that the BCCN was not accredited to level 6 until that body contacted the Department to inform it of same. There is an issue there. Will the Minister indicate whether public procurement procedures were followed in allocating moneys under this programme to two independently managed organisations?

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