Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Independent)
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498. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views that preschool educators, such as Montessori teachers, should have income support from the State during school holiday times, as is the case for primary and post-primary teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9152/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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Most, if not all Montessori trained practitioners are employed in private preschool education services or are self-employed and unlike primary and post-primary teachers, their terms and conditions of employment are not set by the State. Whether the State is investing in early childhood care and education services to achieve optimum outcomes for children is currently being considered by an inter-Departmental group established by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. My department is participating in this group which is expected to report back by the Summer identifying and costing options for Future Investment in Early Years and School Age Care and Education Services. How early years practitioners are remunerated is very much a factor in looking at future investment options.