Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2026
872. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department has commenced a public consultation process on the development of an induction process as committed to as part of Nurturing Skills; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14483/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra873. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department has commissioned research into good practice in effective induction processes as part of Nurturing Skills; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14484/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 872 and 873 together.
The Department continues to roll out ‘Nurturing Skills: The Workforce Plan for Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare, 2022-2028’. It aims to strengthen the ongoing process of professionalisation for those working in the sector. It contains a range of commitments to raise the profile of careers in the sector and to support recruitment, retention and diversity in the workforce.
Nurturing Skills recognises the importance of an induction process for new entrants beginning their first job in the profession, to help them adjust to their new professional role with the support of experienced colleagues. The need for an induction process reflects on the responsibilities that are open to a student on a practice placement.
Nurturing Skills states that work will begin during the lifetime of the plan (2022-2028) on developing and incrementally introducing an induction process, through research, consultation, piloting and review, along with actions to develop services’ capacity and external supports for induction. This process will support movement towards a future requirement for all entrants into the profession (other than childminders) at all qualification levels to complete a supported induction period.
The first commitment in the current Nurturing Skills Implementation Plan is to commission research into good practice in effective induction processes, including in Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare contexts internationally. An initial internal research project into good practice in effective induction processes has commenced with a view to issue RFQ for research in the coming months. A public consultation process will be commenced following completion of initial research project.
The Early Years Services Regulations 2016 under regulation 10 require services to have policies on recruitment and staff training. Induction is identified as a core requirement in the Tusla Quality and Regulatory Framework which specifies that induction must be included in both the Staff Training Policy and the Staff Supervision Policy of ELC and SAC services.
