Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

398. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the level of consultation he had, and the rationale for his decision to extend the requirement for Further Education and Training Awards Council Level 5 for early childhood care and education scheme to the workforce by 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25122/15]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Prior to the introduction of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme in 2010, there was no minimum qualification for staff working in the early years sector. Under the ECCE programme, all pre-school leaders were required to hold a Level 5 qualification. In addition, pre-school services could qualify for a higher capitation rate where all the pre-school leaders, in the ECCE room, held a Level 7 qualification, and all the pre-school assistants held a Level 5 qualification. This represented a major step forward in improving the quality of early years services.

When the Early Years Quality Agenda was introduced in 2013, in order to improve quality in pre-school services, one of the items to be progressed was the introduction of a requirement that all staff working with children in early years services should hold a qualification in early childhood care and education at a minimum of Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications or equivalent, and that pre-school leaders in ECCE services would be required to hold a minimum Level 6 qualification, or equivalent. These requirements were to be introduced with effect from September 2015 following the publication of new Childcare Regulations.

In order to support existing staff to achieve the minimum qualifications, the Government introduced the Learner Fund. €3m was provided under this Fund and almost 3,000 staff have completed (or are currently completing training) to allow them to meet the minimum requirements.

Despite this investment, my Department has received feedback from various City and County Childcare Committees, Voluntary Childcare Organisations, early years services and staff that the commencement of the qualification requirement in September 2015 would pose a number of challenges, particularly for staff who are currently in the process of upskilling but will not have fully completed their training by September 2015.

In response to the concerns expressed surrounding the imposition of the minimum qualification requirement from September 2015, I decided to postpone the commencement of this requirement for existing services for a period of 12 months, that is, until September 2016. However, my Department will require evidence that:

- the pre-school leader is enrolled and engaged in training to meet the Level 6 qualification.

- the pre-school assistants are enrolled and engaged in training to meet the Level 5 qualification, or hold a signed grandfathering declaration form.

The ECCE contract for any new services applying to participate in programme for the first time from September 2015 will stipulate that all childcare staff must meet the minimum qualification requirements, and all pre-school leaders must hold a Level 6 qualification.

I remain wholly committed to ensuring that everyone working with pre-school children holds a minimum qualification.