Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 313: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she intends to establish a BA degree in early childhood education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33776/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that there are already degree courses in early childhood studies available in a number of universities and institutes of technology, including University College Cork and the Dublin Institute of Technology. The provision of such courses is in the first instance a matter for the institutions themselves — universities are autonomous under statute and my Department has no involvement in their day to day operational affairs while recent legislation will also allow greater academic and operational freedom to the Institutes of Technology.

Under the National Childcare Investment Programme 2006-2010, my Department will work with the Office of the Minister for Children to develop a National Childcare Training Strategy which, when completed, will provide a coherent framework for education and training in the childcare sector, going forward.