Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 211: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if the AMI Montessori qualification is recognised as justifying the higher rate of payment in recognition of higher staff skills under the pre-school subsidy scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6635/10]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I have responsibility for the free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme, which was introduced in January 2010. A higher capitation rate of €75 per week (€2,850 p.a.) is available to sessional playschool services in which all childcare workers have qualification levels above the minimum requirements for the scheme. To qualify for the higher capitation rate all pre-school leaders in the service must hold a qualification in a relevant discipline at a minimum of Level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) and have 3 years experience working in the sector. All pre-school assistants must hold a relevant FETAC level 5 qualification or its equivalent.

The AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) Montessori College offer both a 2 year and a 3 year Montessori course with entry to the third year being dependent on a student achieving a distinction at the end of year 2. Neither of these courses are currently placed on the NFQ although I understand that the College has applied to the Higher Education and Training Awards Council to have them accredited and placed on the NFQ. In the meantime, as the Department of Education and Science gives restricted recognition to AMI Montessori qualifications awarded on completion of the 3 year full time course, this qualification is being accepted by my Office as meeting the qualification criterion for the higher capitation rate.