Towards 2016 - Department of Taoiseach

CHAPTER 111 – The Lifecycle Framework30. ChildrenEarly Childhood Development and CareNational Childcare Investment ProgrammeIn January 2008 a further round of capital grant applications amounting to €39m, was approved as partof the National Childcare Strategy. This is expected to result in the creation of an additional 7,000childcare places under the National Childcare Investment Programme.National Childcare Training StrategyA survey of the Childcare sector is underway to ascertain the qualifications of the workforce and toinform the development of a National Childcare Training Strategy, which will feed into theconsultative process to take place in Q2 of 2008. The sectoral standards sub-group have agreed on themapping of Occupational Profiles in the 2002 Model Framework against the National Framework ofQualifications.DEISA number of City and County Childcare Committees and National Voluntary Childcare Organisationswill be running a pilot scheme in 2008 to support the implementation of Síolta in a number of settingsunder a funding line of the National Childcare Investment Programme for innovative schemes.Improving Education Outcomes for ChildrenLiteracy and NumeracyLiteracy and numeracy measures under the DEIS action plan continue to be rolled out in 2008. In theurban primary strand of DEIS, the Reading Recovery programme will be extended to 50 additionalschools, over 100 tutors will be trained in First Steps; Ready Set Go Maths will be rolled out to allurban primary schools and training in Maths Recovery will be extended to almost 200 primary schoolsin 2008.YouthreachFunding is being provided in 2008 to allocate an additional 100 places.Integration of International ChildrenIn 2007, the limit of two language support teachers per school was lifted and the provision of languagesupport was extended beyond two years, where a specific request is made.Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN)The internal working group established to develop proposals for the implementation of the EPSEN Acthas completed its examination of the Implementation Report submitted by the National Council forSpecial Education.In addition to planning for the commencement of the remaining provisions of the EPSEN Act, €900mhas been allocated in 2008 to support children with special educational needs.Youth Work SectorA Quality Promotion Framework and System for Assessment of Youth Work Services (QSF) has beendeveloped in consultation with youth work interests. A Development/Pilot Phase of the QSF Initiativespanning the period October 2007 to September 2009 has commenced.8