Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
1066. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he expects the Pobal Annual Early Years Sector Profile Report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48405/23]
View answerThe Pobal Annual Early Years Sector Profile report provides a detailed overview of the Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) sector in Ireland, including the numbers of children in receipt of state subsidies, information on ELC and SAC fees, staff wages, qualifications and turnover.
The report, which plays a central role in informing policy development and in assessing the impact of policy change, is based on a survey of ELC and SAC providers in Ireland and administrative data from my Department's funding schemes. The report is produced by Pobal on behalf of my Department.
This year it has been decided that the Sector Profile will be released in a new format. My Department, in partnership with Pobal are currently in the process of developing a new interactive dashboard for the Sector Profile. Released in a staggered manner, the first iteration of this new dashboard will see the 2021/22 data be published alongside the 2022/23 data. As the dashboard is still under development there is currently no set release date. It is anticipated that more information will be made available in the coming weeks.
