Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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130. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the final report on the Síolta quality assurance programme which he launched on 7 February last; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9158/14]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The objective of the Síolta quality assurance programme (QAP) is to foster the development of an organisational culture which empowers both the setting and the staff to take ownership of and drive quality improvement as a continuous feature of everyday practice. The final report showed that the quality of early years settings improved through implementing the QAP but also identified the areas of practice that were most in need of development. The report highlights the lead role played by my Department in defining the role of Síolta mentor/co-ordinator and in bringing together individuals from multiple organisations to implement the Síolta QAP. Despite the structured nature of the Síolta QAP and a CPD programme, the report also identified the diversity of approaches used by different individuals.

The report's findings are being used in the D/CYA to inform the establishment of a new national support service for the early years sector.