National Vetting Bureau Processing Times Garda Vetting is an essential safeguard in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children. We understand that delays in processing can be frustrating, so this guidance is to help you plan effectively and avoid unnecessary setbacks. Current Application Processing Times 80% of Garda Vetting applications are processed within 15–18 working
Each week, Early Childhood Ireland monitors the relevant work of the Oireachtas, including reviewing debates and Parliamentary Questions (PQs) relevant to Early Years and School Age Care. The recent PQs addressed to the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley TD, span issues of eligibility for universal schemes to the fundamental stability of the
The OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) recently published the TALIS (Teaching and Learning International Survey) Starting Strong 2024 report. The survey was first introduced in 2018 and administered again in 2024. This report presents the results of the survey, looking at the activities and supports available for children in Early Years settings and
The Children’s Rights Alliance held a national conference last week, which explored how breaking the cycle of child poverty requires tackling health inequality and ensuring access to Early Years provision. The event offered rich, thought-provoking discussions on the future of our system and its role in reducing child poverty. The morning sessions focused on health
In November, challenges with capacity and the recruitment and retention of staff persisted, providing an opportunity to reiterate our solutions to elevate the Early Years and School Age Care system in Ireland. Key Results Early Childhood Ireland secured three pieces of coverage across national and local media, including one online, one print and one broadcast
Eurochild, the largest network of organisations and individuals working with and for children in Europe, published a report on Children’s Day, Unequal Childhoods: Rights on paper should be rights in practice, which examines current efforts to tackle poverty and exclusion, including progress on the implementation of the European Child Guarantee (ECG). The report highlights the
On 26 November, the National Women’s Council hosted its Recipes for Gender Equality conference in Dublin, bringing together Early Years educators, academics, policymakers and civil society leaders to examine how Ireland can strengthen its approach to Early Years education, care and family leave. The event focused on lessons emerging from European policy developments and showcased
The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) recently published a report Afterschool care for school-aged children in Ireland. It uses data from the Growing Up in Ireland (GUI) study to look at the take-up of School Age Care for two cohorts of children born a decade apart – 1998 and 2008 – ( with each
