Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister. Leitrim County Childcare Committee, of which I am chairman on a pro bono basis, has completed a survey of 253 people who have completed FETAC training since 2004. We have found that, in the main, people are working in part-time or full-time jobs in the child care sector. I refer to that figure in the context of ongoing investigations into child care facilities being carried out by RTE and other agencies. In County Leitrim we have no problem sourcing qualified and skilled staff; in fact, we have a surplus. There has been considerable interest in furthering the qualifications of the 253 people concerned to third level. However, the common issue noted by all of them was the level of fees. These child care workers have to study part time as they are working. However, as salaries in the child care sector tend to be low, the fees are prohibitive. For example, to access the bachelor of arts degree course in Sligo in early childhood care and education part-time, it costs €12,000 over four years. This is beyond the means of the majority of those working in the early years sector.

What supports are available to potential part-time students who find themselves in this position? We have had a number of queries on the matter. In the light of the concerns expressed by the Minister's Cabinet colleague about the level of qualifications and the recent inspection of 15 child care facilities, which did not include any in County Leitrim, this is an opportunity for those who genuinely want to further their qualifications in the child care sector and they will then find they have work to do. In that context, I ask for the observations of the Minister.