Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2026
981. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department will consider streamlined pathways for the recognition of international childcare qualifications (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30895/26]
View answerThe role of the early years educator and school-age childcare practitioner are valuable ones, and they play an important part in supporting children's development, learning and care. It is acknowledged that those working in the early learning and care and school-age childcare sector do not receive the recognition they deserve.
It is acknowledged many early learning and childcare services report recruitment and retention challenges. In a very competitive labour market and with low levels of unemployment, recruitment and retention is a challenge for all employers.
However the current Annual Early Years Sector Profile data shows that the number of educators/practitioners working with children in the sector has increased by over 8% between 2024 and 2025 and has increased by over 33% since 2022 and the national average turnover rate has fallen by 1.3% to 24.5% in 2025.
First 5, the whole-of-Government strategy for babies, young children and their families, recognises that the workforce is at the heart of high-quality early learning and care. The evidence suggests children achieve better outcomes when staff are well qualified. This is undisputed internationally.
Under 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.
This regulation ensures that all staff have a solid foundation in child development, early childhood education, child health and welfare, and practical experience through supervised practicum placements which, in turn, helps to create a consistent and high-quality early learning environment for children in services nationally.
To support the streamlining of qualification recognition the Department has a published list of pre-approved qualifications, including international qualifications, for the sector. Anyone holding a qualification that is not on the Department's approved list of qualifications must submit a full application for qualification recognition. This system has now been updated so those seeking to apply can do so via an online application.
