Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 October 2024
389. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason temporary letters of practice for a childcare setting have an expiry date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38721/24]
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 has been deemed to be equivalent.
On a temporary basis, the Department had arranged to reopen the accelerated process for assessment of equivalence with the level 5 minimum qualification requirement for students currently enrolled on a recognised level 6, 7 or 8 course for the summer of 2024. This measure was provided to help services with short-term staffing challenges over the summer period.
To be approved for a letter of qualification recognition of equivalence with the level 5 qualification requirement, a student:
• Must be currently enrolled on a course that is on the list of DCEDIY Early Years Recognised Qualifications at level 6, 7 or 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications.
• Must have successfully completed at least the first year of the course.
• Must have successfully completed a practice placement in-person in an ELC service.
These letters were given an expiry date of the 1st of September 2024 to minimise disruption to courses and to students prior to the academic year recommencing.
Should a student wish to apply for a general (not time-limited) letter of qualification recognition they should submit a full application to the Department at EYQualifications@equality.gov.ie and include the following documents:
• Completed, signed Application Form (a typed name will not suffice).
• Transcripts for each year of the course completed so far.
• A letter from the college/institution confirming that they are continuing their studies.
• Evidence of work practice/experience in an Early Years setting with children aged 0 – 6 years.
My officials are currently in the process of developing a separate application process for current students of a recognised programme at level 6 or above on the National Framework of Qualifications and are engaging with Further Education and Training Providers and Higher Education Institutions in relation to this.
