Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 April 2016
360. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the level of accreditation he regards the qualifications of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6989/16]
View answerThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme introduced the first-ever requirement for minimum qualifications for staff working in the childcare sector. Prior to the introduction of the programme there was no requirement for staff working directly with children in pre-school services to hold any educational qualification.
New qualification requirements for childcare workers are also being introduced as part of the Early Years Quality Agenda. All staff caring for children in an early years service will be subject to a minimum qualification requirement of FETAC Level 5 or equivalent, while pre-school leaders delivering the ECCE programme will require a FETAC Level 6 qualification or equivalent. These requirements will come into effect for all childcare workers dealing directly with children from the end of this year.
It is the responsibility of childcare providers and their staff to ensure that they hold the required or equivalent qualification. A list of early years recognised qualifications for the purpose of meeting the minimum qualifications and for meeting the contractual requirements of the ECCE programme is published on the Department's website at www.dcya.gov.ie.
Where a qualification is not published on the list on the DCYA website but the holder considers it to be an appropriate award for participation in the ECCE programme they should apply to this Department through the Qualification Recognition process. If it is approved for recognition the details of the qualification will be added to the list of qualifications on the Department's web page. Qualifications are assessed in relation to satisfying the requirements of the ECCE programme and applicants should give full details as indicated on the DCYA website. Applications will be dealt with as quickly as possible.
