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

264. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will re-examine the 2016 child care regulation requirements whereby only persons who are qualified with a major level 5 in early childhood care and education can be included in adult child ratios. [24979/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The majority of the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016 came into effect on 30th June 2016.

The Regulations provide that each employee working directly with children attending the service must hold at least a major award in Early Childhood Care and Education at Level 5 on the National Qualifications Framework or a qualification deemed by the Minister to be equivalent. The Regulations clearly state that the service provider must ensure that their staff meet this standard.

This section of the regulations took effect on 30th June 2016 for services registering after that date and for all other services on 31st December 2016.

My Department introduced this regulatory change following many years consultation with the sector. Mindful of the challenge that it would present to the sector, my Department introduced the following supportive measures:

- Learner Funds to provide sector workers with an opportunity to upskill to a Level 5 qualification.

- In 2017, my Department made funding available to provide a bursary to childcare staff who have undertaken higher level courses at their own expense.

- The Regulations provide an exemption up to 1st September 2021 for certain existing childcare staff who intend to retire from the sector in the near future, do not hold the minimum qualification and who do not wish to undertake a course of training at this stage. This option was first publicised through the City / County Childcare Committees in 2014. The deadline for availing of this exemption was 30 June 2016.

- Considerable lead-in time was given, during which the sector was aware that a minimum qualification requirement was going to be introduced.

The recently published Country Specific Recommendations 2017 state that 'Ireland should enhance social infrastructure....including quality childcare'. The minimum qualification requirement contained in the Regulations has an important role to play with regard to ensuring the provision of quality childcare by centre based childcare providers. Consequently, I have no plans to amend the Regulations.