Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)
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70. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to clarify the statement contained in the forward to the ‘Aistear’ curriculum published in December 2024 that "babies, toddlers and young children around the country" had "offered their views and insights" on the development of the curriculum; to state the number of babies that contributed to this process; how the opinions of these babies on the draft curriculum were canvassed and compiled; to summarise the views expressed by these babies on the draft curriculum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52322/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Aistear: the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework was updated by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) on behalf of my Department, following extensive research, consultation, and deliberation. The Department worked collaboratively with the NCCA and the Department of Children, Disability and Equality on the development and enactment of Aistear. The update of Aistear was informed by a literature review (French and McKenna, 2022: ncca.ie/media/5915/literature-review-to-support-the-updating-of-aistear-the-early-childhood-curriculum-framework-jan-2023.pdf ) on the Themes of Aistear which include Wellbeing, Identity and Belonging, Communicating and Exploring and Thinking. The information which the Deputy has sought is publicly available in the Phase 1 Consultation Report (NCCA, 2022: ncca.ie/media/6091/consultationreport_phase1_ua_en.pdf ) and Phase 2 Consultation Report (NCCA, 2024: ncca.ie/media/nkmbnj0o/phase-2-updating-aistear-consultation-report.pdf).