Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2026
878. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is aware that the majority of actions related to school-age care under Nurturing Skills have not been started; if she will provide an update on the progress of all school-age care actions within the strategy to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14489/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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. Work is ongoing in relation to the school-age childcare specific actions under Nurturing Skills.
A key commitment of Nurturing Skills is to Increase the number of qualified practitioners and introduce minimum qualifications for School Age Childcare, similar to Early Learning and Care. In 2025, research commenced to inform the development of a new Level 5 award in School Age Childcare. The research is due for completion in Q1 of 2026 and the findings will guide next steps and the requirements for the proposed award.
A School-Age Childcare Advisory Group on training and qualifications was established to support the development of training and qualifications in School-Age Childcare and the incremental introduction of minimum Level 5 in School-Age Childcare Regulations.
Three introductory eLearning modules related to SAC are in development, they will support the implementation of the National Quality Guidelines for School-Age Childcare. There are currently in the final stages of development and being translated into Irish. They will be available on Nurturing Skills learning hub in early 2026.
The Department recently finished a consultation on the development of comprehensive school age regulations. This consultation will assist with the development of appropriate school age regulations. It is expected that new regulations supporting the quality of school age services will come into effect in the first half of 2026.
The Department will continue to progress the commitments made in relation to school- age childcare under Nurturing Skills.
