Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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As the Deputy will be aware, my Department introduced a qualifications minimum standard into the Early Years sector in Ireland, through the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016.

This was enabled in part by a minimum qualification threshold having already been a requirement of Early Years services offering the universal pre-school provision, known as the ECCE programme.

While it was necessary to establish further education qualifications as the appropriate regulatory standard, my Department welcomes the growing number of graduates who are specialised in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC). My Department has been keenly aware of the robust progression of ECEC as an academic discipline in Ireland, which is now far more firmly established in Irish third level institutions than at any previous time.

The rapid growth of ECEC in recent years is partially attributed to my Department's provision of an additional payment to graduate-led Early Years services who offer the ECCE programme, and it is to the credit of the third level institutions and ECEC academics that they have responded so proactively to the increased demand for degree level ECEC programmes in Ireland. My Department anticipates that the Early Years sector in Ireland is very near to being 50% graduate led.  

Throughout the various changes brought forward by my Department in the Early Years sector in Ireland in recent years, my Department has maintained regular contact with third-level institutions who offer Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) programmes, through various forums. My Department works very closely with the Department of Education Early Years Policy Unit, who are currently undertaking a review of the award standard for ECEC degrees, and have done so through extensive consultation with the third level sector, including groups such as PLÉ (Pedagogy, Learning and Education Association of Ireland).

My Department is aware, (through third level education providers; associated academic groups; and other stakeholders such as the County / City Childcare Committees (CCCs)) of the challenges facing third level students in ECEC programmes, particularly those who do not qualify for Student Universal Support payments. To further support ECEC graduates, in January 2017 my Department began to offer a bursary payment for recent ECEC graduates, which has continued into 2018. My Department is also examining other means of offering support to ECEC undergraduates who fall outside the mainstream financial supports for students.  Officials from my Department are also in regular contact was ECEC undergraduate students, as many apply to my Department for permission to work in the sector outside of their academic placement work, a permission that my Department is pleased to provide, subject to application and some key criteria.