Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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136. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the key priorities his Department has in 2014 to ensure a high quality early years education system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9159/14]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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While the Department of Children and Youth Affairs is responsible for early years education outside the formal education system, my Department has a key role in supporting quality within the sector and works closely with the D/CYA. Working with agencies funded by the D/CYA, the NCCA produced an Aistear-in-Action toolkit which is a resource for use in early years settings showing how the Aistear themes of Wellbeing, Identity and Belonging, Exploring and Thinking and Communication translate into practice. My Department has also directed the implementation of Síolta, the National Quality Framework, by working with these agencies.

Minister Fitzgerald has secured funding for a national quality support service, a training fund and an improved inspection regime. During 2014, my Department will continue to work closely with the D/CYA on the development of these measures and will be drawing on the expertise it has acquired through the implementation of Aistear and Síolta.