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Early Childhood Care and Education

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 December 2020

Thursday, 3 December 2020

Questions (104)

Alan Farrell

Question:

104. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will report on the consultation events with early years’ service providers and practitioners which his Department undertook in October 2020 as part of the important process of developing career pathways which recognise skills and qualifications and encourage continuing professional development in this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40653/20]

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Written answers

As part of ongoing work to produce a Workforce Development Plan for the early learning and care and school age childcare sector, my Department carried out an online public consultation process between August and October this year. This was done in conjunction with a public consultation process on the development of a new funding model for the sector.

The consultation process included an online call for submissions which was open for six weeks from August to October. This written consultation process was widely publicised and was open to anyone to participate. This was then followed by a series of nine online consultation events that were open to anyone who took part in the earlier written consultation, and which allowed more in-depth exploration of issues raised. These online events took place between the 12th and 22nd of October.

Additionally, an open information webinar was held on 22 September to share information about the process and encourage participation. A second open information webinar is scheduled for 16 December, at which findings from the consultation process will be presented.

Reports on the findings of the consultation process are being drafted at present. The findings of the consultation process will be incorporated into the ongoing work on a Workforce Development Plan and a new Funding Model. The Workforce Development Plan, which is due to be finalised later in 2021, includes consideration of career pathways, role profiles, qualification requirements, and continued professional development opportunities for those working in the sector.

I will be happy to share the details of the consultation with the Deputy when the findings have been collated and documented.

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