Early Childhood Ireland

Lobbying Organisation Early Childhood Ireland

Date published 21 Jan, 2016

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Children and Youth Affairs

Period 1 Sep, 2015 to 31 Dec, 2015

Specific Details Systems for inspection of early childhood education and care (ECEC); Staffing and professional preparation for ECEC; Remuneration within the sector; Viability and sustainability of the sector.

Intended results Greater integration of the inspection system run by the Dept of Education and Skills and other systems Ensuring new ECEC staff can be recruited and trained to required standard, and existing staff can receive appropriate education and training, particularly from levels 6 up. A new framework for after-school provision, including the part played by primary schools. New initiatives to address low remuneration within the sector. Greater consideration of how the challenges faced by the sector may be overcome in decision making regarding the expansion and reform of ECCE, as envisaged in Budget 2016. Greater consideration of the viability and sustainability of the ECEC sector in Government decision making. Better focus on building best quality provision within ECEC, rather than just meeting minimal standards.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Teresa Heeney

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) Yes

Current or Former Designated Public Official(s)

Dónall Geoghegan (Former DPO) Special Advisor (Department of the Taoiseach)

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Meeting (6-10)

Various meetings with officials and the Minister at offices of the Department of Education and Skills, Marlborough Street, Dublin 2, and at conferences/events.

Email (6-10)

Emails arranging meetings and providing useful information and perspectives on the ECEC sector.

Informal communication (2-5)

Informal communications at conferences and events.

Phone call (2-5)

Several phone calls to provide information regarding relevant matters and to clarify the thinking of ECI on these.

Submission (2-5)

Submitted documents on relevant issues.

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Gary Ó Donnchadha Assistant Secretary (Department of Education and Skills)

Seán Ó'Foghlú Secretary General (Department of Education and Skills)

Neil Ward Special Advisor (Department of Education and Skills)

Harold Hislop Chief Inspector (Department of Education and Skills)

Jan O'Sullivan Minister (Department of Education and Skills)