Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)

I absolutely agree with the Deputy. It is to everyone's benefit, most especially the children, that we have suitably remunerated and qualified staff. That is the purpose of specifically ring-fencing the funding this year. As I have already said, it is my absolute desire that it would be used in full for that purpose.

I also acknowledge that there is significant work under way to support those who might wish to enhance their qualifications through the nurture skills programme, where opportunities are being given for 90% of the costs to be covered for those who might wish to move forward towards a level 7 or level 8 qualification. That is being piloted, there has been a great uptake on it and we look forward to another successful year of it this year.

I also acknowledge, specifically in terms of retention, that the early learning and childcare stakeholder forum now has a subgroup on recruitment and retention looking at a variety of issues, chief among them, of course, the issue of pay, but also other issues that would provide supports right across the sector.

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