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

If the Minister does not mind, I will refer to a section of the report from the advisory group on the early childhood strategy. The report was commissioned by the Department. It states the training and professional development of staff is a key indicator of quality in all types of services for young children. High-quality services require professional competence at all levels, including those working directly with children, their managers and supervisors, inspectors and those in advisory and leadership roles as well as those who carry out training. Ensuring high professional standards at all levels of service delivery requires that individuals not only have appropriate initial training but also have access to continual professional development throughout their careers.

The fund is highly restrictive in nature. It will lead to further inconsistencies in standards in the early childhood sector. The Minister has confirmed funding for 2014 and 2015. Will he examine expanding the fund to include all levels of qualifications to ensure people working in the sector can avail of the fund and progress and develop qualifications much further than levels 5 and six? They should be progressing to level 7 or 8 to ensure we have a real quality professional workforce dealing with early childhood.

See this speech in context