Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2022
657. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37979/22]
View answerUnder the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016, all staff working directly with children in a pre-school service must hold at least a Level 5 major award in early childhood care and education on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), or a qualification that the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has deemed to be equivalent.
My Department has published a list of qualifications that meet both regulatory and funding requirements for working in early learning and care services. The list can be found at this link:
www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=assets.gov.ie/91125/df4fce5e-e6d0-4524-bfc3-10139c009c09.pdf#page=null .
If an individual's qualification does not appear on the list, they may apply to my Department to have it assessed for equivalence. Details on how to apply are available at: www.gov.ie/en/service/000073-recognition-of-an-early-years-qualification/ .
To be approved to practise in the sector, an individual's studies must be of a standard at least at level 5 on the NFQ (or equivalent) and must include the following content:
- Child development for children aged 0-6.
- Early childhood education - theory and practice.
- Child health and welfare for children aged 0-6.
- Evidence that the qualification contains a supervised practicum/practice placement working in an early learning and care setting.
With regards to the individual mentioned in the Deputy's question, as a result of data protection requirements I cannot share information with a third party in relation to an individual’s application. I would, however, encourage any individual seeking qualification recognition to engage directly with the relevant officials in my Department in providing all relevant documentation required to support their application.
