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Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, has today announced Ireland’s participation in the OECD Starting Strong Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS Starting Strong), in partnership with the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

TALIS Starting Strong is the first international survey of the early learning and care workforce. It provides early years educators and managers with an opportunity to share insights on their professional development; pedagogical beliefs and practices; and working conditions, as well as various other leadership, management and workplace issues.

The survey seeks to identify strengths of, and improvement opportunities for, early learning and care environments across different countries.

Ireland, along with 16 other countries, is taking part in the survey. The findings will help inform future policy development in Ireland, building on Nurturing Skills, the Workforce Plan for Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare 2022-2028.

The TALIS Starting Strong field trial will commence in February, with main fieldwork taking place in early 2024.

Commenting, Minister O’Gorman said:

“Nurturing Skills commits to Ireland’s participation in the next round of TALIS Starting Strong.

"I am delighted to announce the upcoming field trial for this survey and the appointment of the Central Statistics Office to the role of National Project Office.

"TALIS Starting Strong is the first survey of its kind in Ireland and will provide a solid evidence base to inform and monitor the ongoing implementation of Nurturing Skills.

"Participation and engagement by settings and staff is strongly encouraged."

Padraig Dalton, Director General, CSO said:

“As Ireland’s national statistical office, the CSO’s role is to support research and public policy by producing impartial and robust data reflecting Ireland’s economy, people and society. The CSO is delighted to take on the role of National Project Office for TALIS Starting Strong. This survey is in keeping with our mandate to co-ordinate with other public bodies to produce official statistics.”

Read Press Release HERE

Dear service provider,

The Finance and Impact Returns (FIRs) for December 2022 are available for completion on Pobal Online.

As advised previously, the DCEDIY emphasises the importance for all community services to continue to complete and submit FIRs to Pobal. These returns provide essential information that allows DCEDIY and Pobal to identify and help services to resolve problems. They also act as an informative tool for services in the effective planning of their financial future.

The deadline for submission for December 2022 FIRs has expired. The deadline has been extended and if you have not submitted your return, please do so by Friday 10 February at 5.00pm.

If you require assistance in completing the return, please contact the Early Years Provider Centre by raising a Service Request on the Early Years Hive using the following categories:

• Programme: CCSP
• Request Type: Finance and Impact Returns (FIRs)
• Request Type Detail: Finance and Impact Returns (FIRs)

Regards,
Pobal’s Early Years Team

Dear Service Provider 

If you have not already done so, it is still possible to apply for AIM Level 1 to receive capitation for your service if you have a new and existing Graduate of LINC. However, it is important to be aware that any application received after 28th October date will not be backdated to the start date for the programme year.  

Applications must be submitted electronically via the Early Years HIVE portal. Applicant guidelines can be found here. 

A number of announcements were issued around AIM Level 1 since the start of the 2022 programme opening. These informed services that any AIM Level 1 application received by 5pm on Friday 28 October 2022 would be awarded the full capitation, which was backdated to the Inclusion Co-ordinator’s start relevant to the 2022 programme start date.

Should you have any queries in relation to the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM), please contact the Early Years Provider Centre by raising a Request on HIVE as follows: 

Request Programme: AIM Level 1. 
Request Type: Application. 
Request Type Detail: How To. 

Regards,  

The Early Years Team 

Dear Service Provider, 

The Finance and Impact returns (FIRs) for December 2022 are available for completion on Pobal Online.

As advised previously the DCEDIY would like to emphasise the importance for all community services to continue to complete and submit FIRs to Pobal. These returns provide essential information that allows DCEDIY and Pobal to identify and help services to resolve problems. They also act as an informative tool for services in the effective planning of their financial future.

The deadline for submission for December 2022 FIRs has expired. The deadline has been extended and if you have not submitted your return please do so by 5pm on Friday the 10th of February

If you require any assistance in completing the return please complete a service request on the HIVE, selecting the FIRs as the category and sub-category of the request.

Regards,

The Early Years Team

From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth 

Published on 20 January 2023

Last updated on 20 January 2023

• €50,000 will be made available to 25 projects.

• Pilot grants of €2,000 will be allocated to successful organisations to assist with a range of projects including; supporting parents of children with additional needs, parents from migrant backgrounds, parents of LGBTI+ young people, and parenting when separated.

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, today announced the 25 projects to receive funding under the 2023 Supporting Parents, Parent Peer Support Fund. Through this Fund, a total of €50,000 will be made available to support organisations across Ireland to develop inclusive and welcoming parent peer support initiatives for all parents.

Supporting Parents: A National Model of Parenting Support Services seeks to ensure that all parents are confident and capable in their parenting role, helping to achieve the best outcomes for children and families. This peer support fund is a step towards parents feeling confident and comfortable seeking support from their peers.

Research in Ireland has demonstrated that peer support is highly valued by parents, both for common ages and stages and for specific parenting challenges. Informal support networks are an important protective factor that can enhance parental wellbeing and act as a valuable source of information about other parenting support services. Parent peer support groups can promote healthy parenting skills, an increased sense of empowerment, and a feeling of belonging. Parenting support groups can also be particularly helpful for parents of those who are coping with anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues and for parents of children with complex care needs.

Welcoming the latest announcement, Minister O’Gorman said:

Every parent deserves to feel supported in their role as a parent. This initiative will allow these organisations to continue their important work, fostering these peer connections and support systems across Ireland.

This funding will provide practical support to services focused on providing high quality supports for parents. The variety of initiatives is a credit to the support services who are listening to and responding to the needs of parents in their local areas.