On 29th March 2022 Government accepted the findings of the independent Review of the Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) Operating Model in Ireland that a dedicated state agency is the optimal operating model for the sector for the years ahead. A dedicated state agency will assist in the development of a more streamlined structure to better support the delivery of ELC and SAC, and will facilitate my Department in implementing and progressing the significant reform agenda envisaged under First 5, the Whole of Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families.
Significant progress has been made in advancing this ambitious and transformative reform programme. My Department has commenced a comprehensive phase of analysis, planning, consultation, and engagement with sectoral stakeholders to determine how the recommendation arising from the Review can best be implemented. This work will culminate in a fully costed agency design and implementation plan which will be presented to Government for approval.
The Programme Board established to oversee planning for a dedicated National Early Learning and Childcare Agency, the membership of which I announced in February, comprises interdepartmental representatives alongside several external experts with experience at senior level in change management and large-scale reform, leadership, governance, public policy, and a knowledge of the ELC and SAC sector.
A programme of work and set of priorities for 2023 are currently being agreed with the Programme Board. It is anticipated that the Board will meet approximately quarterly throughout 2023, whilst also undertaking additional work between scheduled meetings. However, it is expected that the frequency of meetings will vary as the reform programme progresses, with additional meetings required at key junctures.
It is intended that progress reports will be published at appropriate junctures throughout the lifetime of the Programme Board. The timeframe for these reports is currently under consideration, but all such reports and additional update material will be made available on a dedicated programme website which is currently being finalised.
