28/03/2014

€3m 'Learner Fund' Announced For Childcare Staff

A new 'Learner Fund' totalling €3m has been announced to support staff in early years services who need to up-skill to meet new qualification requirements.

Launching the new fund, Minister for Children & Youth Affairs Frances Fitzgerald, said: "International evidence tells us that raising the qualification levels of staff working with children is key to improving the quality of services.

"I am pleased to have secured funding of €3 million over 2 years, and I know that it will benefit many childcare workers and will help us to build quality services and improve the outcomes for children."

The 'Learner Fund', which will be administered by Pobal with the help of local City and County Childcare Committees, will provide funding for a two-year period specifically to assist existing childcare staff working directly with children in registered early years services to meet new qualification requirements.

(MH/JP)

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