I propose to take Questions Nos. 338 and 339 together.
Officials from the Department have met with the Childcare Committee Ireland (CCI) in relation to their Report and in relation to the Department’s proposed changes to improve the quality of training provision and work experience for CE participants who wish to pursue a career in childcare. These changes include a review of the entry requirements to ensure suitable applicants with an interest and commitment to a career in childcare get the opportunity to gain valuable qualifications in the childcare sector. This will promote a career progression path and support the structure for CE workers in Early Services.
These improvements will provide a more tailored and valuable support to the provision of community childcare and achieve greater coherence between participation on CE and the job market. The Childcare Committee Ireland has broadly welcomed these improvements.
It should be noted that the Department of Children and Youth Affairs is responsible for the quality of childcare provision and the Department supports this through the provision of childcare places on CE. The Department is committed to best practice in recruitment and selection procedures which includes Garda vetting. I am aware of the increase in the time taken to process applications in recent months this matter has been drawn to the attention of the department concerned and the Garda Central Vetting Unit.
The Department of Social Protection is improving the provision of training and work experience for participants on CE overall. These improvements reflect the findings of a number of recent reviews – the “CE Financial Review of Schemes” (2012) and the “Review of the Department of Social Protection Employment Support Schemes” (2012). In response, the Department is planning a number of improvements which will provide a clear progression path and a structure for CE participants. There are no plans to extend the eligibility criterion relating to age at entry to 21 years.
The Department will continue to review schemes to ensure that there are adequate supports available to assist jobseekers and other disadvantaged groups and that the maximum utilisation and value is gained from Community Employment participation.