Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 September 2024
373. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the annual early years sector profile survey was completed by Pobal for the programme year 2023-2024; and when the results of this survey will be added to the Early Learning and Childcare Data website. [37580/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Annual Early Years Sector Profile survey is the primary data source on the Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) sector. It is developed and administered by Pobal on behalf of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY). All services who are contracted to deliver at least one DCEDIY funded programme/scheme (i.e. ECCE, NCS, CCSP) are invited to take part in the survey. The survey, which has been running for 21 years, plays a central role in informing policy development, assessing the impact of policy change and provides a comprehensive national analysis of ELC and SAC services throughout Ireland.
The annual early years sector profile survey was completed again this year for the programme year 2023/24. Data collection for the 2023/24 survey took place between 07 May and 07 June 2024. In total, 4,022 services completed the survey during the data collection window, with a response rate of 87%. Data cleaning is currently in progress and the publication of the results on the Early Learning and Childcare Data website is expected to begin towards the end of this year.
