Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

84. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the current number of childcare staff employed on a CE scheme that have the required level five qualification; the current number of childcare staff employed on a CE scheme that do not have the required level five qualification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32228/16]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

85. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the actions his department is taking to assist former staff who were employed on a CE scheme who do not have the required level five qualification in view of the new requirement for childcare staff to have a level five qualification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32229/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 84 and 85 together.

The Community Employment (CE) Childcare Programme provides an opportunity for jobseekers to gain qualifications and work experience in the childcare sector as well as making an important contribution to community-based early childhood services.

The FETAC Major 5 Award is the entry level requirement to work as a basic practitioner in childcare. My Department is actively supporting CE participants in dedicated childcare placements to achieve the required qualification which improves the career path for CE participants who wish to pursue a career in childcare. CE participants are learners in a community childcare setting and are therefore not supposed to be included in the childcare ratios. Most CE participants in the childcare programme are working to achieve the relevant FETAC level 5 or level 6 qualifications. Take-up of childcare places on the Community Employment programme was 1,865 at the end of September 2016. A breakdown of this number into those who have already obtained a Level 5 in Childcare is not available.

The childcare ratios and qualification requirements of those employed in childcare are a matter for the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the HSE. I understand that the Department of Children and Youth Affairs are working closely with community childcare crèches to ensure the viability of childcare provision.