Naoise Ó Muirí (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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161. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how her Department intends to implement the 'earn and learn' apprenticeship model outlined in the Programme for Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7635/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is currently in the process of implementing the workforce plan for the early learning and care and school age childcare sector, Nurturing Skills. It aims to strengthen the ongoing process of professionalisation for those working in the sector and to raise the profile of careers in the sector.

Aligned to the Programme for Government commitment to introduce an ‘Earn and Learn’ apprenticeship model enabling staff in this sector to gain qualifications and advance their careers, Pillar 4 of Nurturing Skills includes an action to examine the development of a range of entry routes into the sector, including apprenticeships or other work-based learning, and access programmes in further education and higher education.

It is my intention to commission research on alternative entry routes in 2025, with a view to using that research to inform next steps.

While Nurturing Skills commits to examine alternative entry-routes, the development of an apprenticeship would rely on the formulation of proposals by employers and education institutions, and would require approval by the National Apprenticeship Office. The consideration and potential introduction of an apprenticeship model in the sector is therefore not solely a policy matter for my Department.

During the public consultation that took place in the development of Nurturing Skills, there were mixed views amongst stakeholders on the benefits of an apprenticeship model to support recruitment into the sector.

A particular challenge in designing an apprenticeship model suitable for the early learning and care and school-age childcare sector is that apprentices are employees of providers, and all employees of early learning and care providers must meet a minimum qualification requirement (level 5) before they commence work with children and count in adult-child ratios.

While an apprenticeship specifically to support existing early years educators to upskill to Level 7/8 degrees is an option, Nurturing Skills also commits to offer funded places on flexible education programmes to current early years educators to support upskilling and strengthen career development pathways.

The Nurturing Skills Learner Fund commenced in 2024 on a pilot basis for 350 staff working in the early learning and care and school-age childcare sector to support them to upskill to level 7 and 8 degrees. The Nurturing Skills Learner Fund will continue in pilot phase in 2025 for up to 350 additional educators commencing studies in Autumn 2025.