Written answers

Thursday, 2 June 2022

Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Early Childhood Care and Education

Photo of Marc Ó CathasaighMarc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party)
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53. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on Government plans with respect to a new State agency for Early Learning and Care following receipt of the Independent Review of the Operating Model conducted by Indecon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27702/22]

Photo of Roderic O'GormanRoderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I am pleased to report that on 29thMarch, Government accepted the findings of the Review of the Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) Operating Model that a dedicated State agency is the optimal operating model for the ELC and SAC sector for the years ahead. This independent Review was published on 30thMarch 2022.  It is envisaged that this dedicated agency will undertake the functions currently carried out by Pobal Early Years (including Better Start), the City/County Childcare Committees, as well as operational functions currently undertaken by my Department.

My Department has now commenced a further phase of detailed analysis and open planning, consultation and engagement with sectoral stakeholders to determine how the recommendation arising from the Review can best be implemented.  This phase will include, inter alia, a detailed design of a new operating model, an examination of all legal requirements, transition and continuity planning, a risk management strategy, and an examination of associated costings. 

My Department is committed to ongoing consultation with stakeholders throughout this phase, and engagement in this regard has already commenced. Officials from my Department have met with all organisations comprising the existing operating model, and with other key stakeholders, to brief them on the Review and to provide them with an opportunity to share their initial feedback and views. 

A dedicated State agency will assist in the development of a more streamlined structure to better support the delivery of ELC and SAC at national and local level, and will facilitate my Department in implementing and progressing the significant reform agenda envisaged under First 5, the Whole of Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families.

I look forward to bringing a further report to Government next year following the completion of this phase of what is a significant and transformative reform project.

Photo of Jennifer Murnane O'ConnorJennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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54. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the Annual Early Years Sector Profile Report 2021/2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28455/22]

Photo of Roderic O'GormanRoderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Early Years Sector Profile Report is based on an annual survey of the early learning and childcare sector and on administrative data gathered on DCEDIY funded programmes and schemes.

The Report, which is compiled by Pobal on behalf of my Department, plays a central role in informing policy development, in assessing the impact of policy change and in monitoring key trends over time.

Notwithstanding the significant challenges presented by Covid-19, the 2020/21 survey went ahead, with almost 60 per cent of providers taking part. The Report of the 2020/21 survey, which I launched earlier this month, provides us with important data, insight and analysis into the sector – particularly in the context of Covid-19.

Fieldwork for the Annual Early Years Sector Profile 2021/2022 survey commenced on 9 May. As well as capturing data on the numbers of children participating in DCEDIY funded programmes and schemes, fees, staff wages, qualifications and turnover within the sector, this year’s Sector Profile includes questions on services’ income and costs in order to establish the most up to date and accurate picture on providers financial circumstances

With the end of pandemic supports and the imminent introduction of a major new funding stream, Core Funding, this year’s Sector Profile is an optimal time to capture this essential information about the sector.  Importantly, it also provides a baseline to assess the impact of Core Funding against.

Given the importance of collecting this data at this point in time, completion of the Sector Profile is a necessary requirement in order to access Core Funding later this year.  To avail of Core Funding, a service must have completed the Sector Profile.

Approximately 83% of providers have already completed the Sector Profile survey to date and more have sought the opportunity to do so next month.  This is very encouraging and bodes well for the future of Core Funding and the new funding model more widely.

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