Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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400. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on the Naturing Skills Learner Fund; the number of participants that have availed of the scheme since its inception; the qualifications attained; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22450/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Nurturing Skills, the Workforce Plan for Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare aims to build on the significant progress already made in raising skill levels across the sector. Supporting the further professionalisation of the workforce is key to improving outcomes for children and families.

In line with commitments in Nurturing Skills, the pilot of a new Nurturing Skills Learner Fund was launched for the academic year 2024/2025. The pilot NSLF assisted early years educators to pursue Early Learning and Care qualifications at Level 7 and Level 8 that have been approved by the Qualifications Advisory Board, while continuing to work in the sector.

The Programme for Government committed to ‘remove barriers in education and training for early years educators to broaden access to the profession.’ Under the Nurturing Skills Learner Fund , funding is provided, up to 90% of tuition costs, for early years educators to reduce the upfront costs of study. The Nurturing Skills Learner Fund complements other government financial supports, such as the Free Fees Initiative and SUSI grants, which early years educators can also qualify for depending on their circumstances.

The Nurturing Skills Learner Fund aims to drive forward the professional development of early year’s educators and support the commitments for a graduate-led workforce. The programme also aids the recruitment and retention of early years educators, through supporting career pathways and reducing financial costs that many early years educators face.

For the academic year 2024/2025, 617 applications were completed and verified as meeting the criteria for the pilot NSLF. Funding was approved for 350 applicants. 304 successful applicants were from a Service with no graduate.

It is expected that the first students will graduate in summer 2026 and summer 2027 with Level 7 and Level 8 qualifications in Early Learning and Care.

The Nurturing Skills Learner Fund will continue as a pilot for the academic year 2025/2026 and it is expected that a further 350 applicants will benefit from this funding.

The Nurturing Skills Learner Fund is co-funded by the European Union through the European social Fund+ Employment, Inclusion, Skills and Training programme (EIST) 2021-27.