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Qualifications Recognition

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 February 2019

Wednesday, 13 February 2019

Questions (192)

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

192. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the exemptions or fast-track to Further Education and Training Council, FETAC, 5 available to persons with various teaching qualifications and over 20 years of experience with early childhood education and management; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7166/19]

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Written answers

I would like to thank the Deputy for his question and for his interest in the qualification standards for work in the Early Learning and Care sector introduced by my department.

I understand the Deputy's reference to FETAC 5 to mean qualifications in early childhood care and education at Level 5 on the National Framework for Qualifications (NFQ). Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), which took over the functions of FETAC (the Further Education and Training Awards Council), is the awarding body for further education awards in Ireland and is also responsible for the NFQ. Access to programmes of learning which lead to QQI-accredited awards are widely available through a variety of education and training providers nationwide.

The 2016 Childcare Regulations (Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016) came into effect at the end of June 2016. A specific section of the regulations deals with the matter of qualifications for Early Learning and Care workers who are working with children in a pre-school service. This section of the regulations took effect for new services from 30th June 2016 and for all other services it took effect after 31st December 2016. It states (Part 3, 9.4) that each employee working directly with children attending the service must hold at least a major award in Early Childhood Care and Education at Level 5 on the NFQ or a qualification deemed by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to be equivalent.

This regulatory change was introduced following many years of consultation with the sector. Mindful of the challenge that it would present to the sector, my department introduced the following supportive measures:

- Learner Funds to provide sector workers with an opportunity to upskill to a Level 5 qualification. Three Learner Funds were available to upskill to Level 5, the most recent with a closing date for applications of July 29th 2016. The courses undertaken through the Learner Funds were wholly funded by my Department via the City / County Childcare Committees (CCCs).

- A ‘grandfathering declaration’, to allow sector workers nearing the end of their career to continue working. The option to apply for a grandfathering declaration was first made available in the latter half of 2014, and publicised through the CCCs. Early Years sector workers were able to avail of the grandfathering declaration up to the time that the regulations came into effect. Grandfathering declarations signed after the 30th of June 2016 are not considered valid, and this time limit is stated in the Regulations. The grandfathering declarations apply up to the start of September 2021, allowing signatories to meet the minimum regulatory standard until that time.

- Delayed introduction of regulations. Following consultation with various stakeholders regarding regulatory change, the introduction of regulations was extended from September 2015 to June 2016. The date for the minimum qualification standard to take effect was extended beyond this to the 31st of December 2016. The sector was first informed about the intention to introduce new regulations, including a minimum qualification standard, in 2013.

- A qualifications assessment procedure put in place by my Department in the latter half of 2015, which allows for applications to be made for individual assessment; applicants may include any documentation they believe to be relevant and assessment is made on the basis of the entire qualifications profile as evidenced by the applicant. This is conducted by officials in my Department in consultation with the Early Years Policy Unit of the Department of Education and Skills, and is available to anyone who applies. Each application is dealt with on a case by case basis.

If the Deputy is referring to a specific case, I would advise that individual to apply to my Department for qualifications recognition, if they have not already done so. If they want to pursue additional education, they should contact an appropriate education provider and enquire directly with them as to their options. Some education providers may be able to provide advanced access to a programme of learning on foot of pre-existing qualifications or a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process.

I must emphasise that the Department of Children and Youth Affairs is neither an education and training provider, nor an awarding body, and cannot issue instruction to educational institutions in this regard.

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