This consultation is of critical importance and the more parents and interested parties who participate in the consultation the better, because this will inform the framework for future investment in the sector. It will deliver a blueprint for appropriate services which will benefit children, parents and families so I urge you to participate. Deirdre
Minister Reilly extends the time for parents to give their views on Future
Investment in Early Years and School-Age (After-School and Out-of-School)
Care and Education Services
Friday 1st of May 2015
The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr. James Reilly, T.D., is
extending the time-frame for parents and guardians to contribute to the
consultation process related to childcare and early education. The
Department of Children and Youth Affairs is currently conducting a
consultation process inviting submissions from interested parties,
including parents and practitioners to inform the work of his recently
established Inter-Departmental Group on Future Investment in Early Years
and School-Age Care and Education Services.
There are two separate consultation forms available for online completion.
The first is for all stakeholders with an interest in the field (including
policy-makers, practitioners, providers, advocates and academics). The
closing date for submissions is today.
The second is a consultation form designed specifically for parents and
guardians. Monday the 4th of May was scheduled to be the closing day for
submissions . However Minister Reilly has now extended that deadline and
new closing date/time for parents and guardians to give their views is
midnight on Sunday 10th of May.
Minister Reilly said “The Inter-Departmental Group is hard at work
examining issues related to childcare and early education. It is tasked
with exploring ways of ensuring that current and future investment delivers
more affordable, accessible and high quality early years and school-age
care and education.
“To help this Group develop the strongest set of options, its work will be
informed by research and evidence of best practice, as well as current
policy commitments, including those set out in Better Outcomes, Brighter
Futures, the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People. But
it’s very important that we hear the views of all relevant stakeholders
especially from parents”
“As part of this public consultation process, I want to find out what is
working well and learn where I can best direct investment to improve the
accessibility, affordability and quality of Ireland’s early years and
school-age care and education services over the coming years”.
The Inter-Departmental Group on Future Investment in Early Years and
School-Age Care and Education Services will report to government with
costed options for decision by the summer.
Further details and links to theses consultation forms are available on the
Department of Children and Youth Affairs website at: www.dcya.gov.ie