Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 April 2014
349. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide funding for training for community employment staff in County Laois to train in child care up to level 5; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17700/14]
View answerThe Department of Social Protection (DSP) is consolidating and improving the provision of training and work experience for CE participants in particular for those who wish to pursue a career in child care. For CE participants who work directly with children, a dedicated programme comprising formal learning and supervised work experience is now a mandatory part of participation. This formal learning programme will lead to a FETAC Level 5 Major Award in Early Childhood Care and Education. This is the minimum entry requirement for a Child care Practitioner. In acknowledgement of the training requirements participation on a child care place will be for a maximum of 3 years, and linked to the successful participation of the CE participant in the training and work experience programme provided. The new CE Childcare scheme started in Laois on the 3rd of March 2014 under the CE Sponsorship of Laois Community & Enterprise Development Company Ltd. The Childcare CE scheme has been allocated 50 CE places. Thirty-three CE places are allocated to the direct provision of child care and 17 places are allocated for child care support. An additional training budget to facilitate the completion of the full Major Award at Level 5 in Childcare will be made available. The Childcare CE scheme has also been allocated an additional CE Supervisor to mentor and support the Childcare participants through the Major Award.
This programme involves defined standards of achievement, a career progression path, and a structure for CE participants in Early Years Services. These changes are designed to provide a more tailored and valuable support to the provision of community child care and to achieve greater coherence between participation on CE and the job market.
