Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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16. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans for early years in detail and timeline for the implementation of the early years strategy on a yearly basis. [23035/16]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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The new Early Years Strategy is due to be finalised by the end of 2016 and work in developing this is at an advanced stage. My first priority in relation to Early Years is to secure the expansion of schemes announced by my predecessor, in Budget 2016. The expansion of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) free pre-school year is my immediate priority, as is the roll out of the 'Access and Inclusion Model' for Early Childhood Care and Education.

The report of the Inter-Departmental Group on future investment in childcare recommended that a number of schemes operated by my Department be integrated into a new Single Affordable Childcare Scheme. Work on this is progressing rapidly, and I intend for this to be rolled out by September 2017. Alongside this, I am working to improve capacity in the sector. The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced a significant increase in capital funding available this year to the early years sector, from €4m to €6.5m. I will be seeking additional capital in Budget 2017.

In planning for the longer term, I will be seeking to develop capacity, quality and affordability in relation to the care of children under the age of three. I have also established an inter-departmental working group on after-school childcare, and I am working with my colleague the Minister for Education and Skills to advance proposals in relation to school-age childcare.

I am also continuing to advance the Early Years quality agenda. The new Childcare Regulations came into effect on 30 June 2016. From 31 December 2016, all staff working in formal childcare settings will be required to hold a relevant childcare qualification at Level 5, and staff members must hold a level 6 qualification to be permitted to work as ECCE room leaders under the ECCE contract.

To support staff to meet the new qualification requirements, my Department established the Learner Fund which has already allocated €3.5 million to over 3,000 staff for the purpose of upskilling. My Department is continuing to support up-skilling in the sector and is working with community childcare facilities to ensure their financial viability.