Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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69. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of personnel in WTE terms that have been appointed to assist with implementing Aistear and Siolta at preschool level and at primary level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25482/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Síolta and Aistear represent a comprehensive set of national practice guidelines which support the development of quality early childhood care and education in Ireland. Both Frameworks are based upon extensive research evidence on best practice in early childhood education and care and also have been developed through extensive consultation with all interested parties including parents, teachers, the broad range of staff working in early childhood care and education settings and children themselves. Implementation of these Frameworks to date has involved:

- Raising awareness of the contents of each framework though publication and dissemination of information, e.g., Síolta and Aistear manuals and guidelines; Aistear tip sheets for parents; Aistear Toolkit (online)

- Collaboration with City and County Childcare Committees, Voluntary Childcare Organisations in the development and delivery of the Síolta Quality Assurance Programme field test; establishment of the Aistear in Action Initiative (a collaboration between NCCA and Early Childhood Ireland) and the Aistear Tutor Initiative (a collaboration between NCCA and the network of Education Centres).

Implementation of these Frameworks has had to be done within existing resources and additional personnel have not been assigned.