Childcare workers not getting training

Childcare workers are unable to access essential HSE child protection training, an Oireachtas committee was told yesterday.

Irene Gunning, chief executive of Early Childhood Ireland, told the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children 52 per cent of its members said staff had not had access to Children First training.

She said the HSE provided all child protection training for childcare workers in Montessori schools, play groups and other childcare facilities free of charge, but because of cutbacks and a moratorium on recruitment, it was difficult to access.

She said her organisation, which has 3,200 affiliates, had asked to be able to provide the training, but the HSE had not accepted the suggestion. They had followed up with the current Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald as well as the previous minister, Barry Andrews, but nothing had happened.

Labour TD Ciara Conway said she was very concerned at the “poor rate of training”.

“This is hugely alarming and needs to be addressed immediately,” she said.