First Event of Early Childhood Ireland’s Budget 2027 Campaign
This week, the CEO of Early Childhood Ireland, Teresa Heeney met with key members of the Oireachtas to discuss the needs of the Early Years and School Age Care workforce. These meetings came just after the Dáil had debated a Sinn Féin motion on Early Years and School Age Care. With only a few sitting days left in the Dáil before summer recess, it is encouraging to see the needs of the workforce being discussed in the wider debate about the forthcoming Budget.
Meet the CEO
The meetings were held in Dublin with Oireachtas members from both government and opposition to discuss the needs of the Early Years and School Age Care workforce, with an additional focus on accessibility and funding. The Chairperson of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Equality and Party Spokespersons from Labour, the Social Democrats, and Sinn Féin attended the day of meetings. In high-level discussions, we impressed upon members of the Oireachtas the importance of addressing the needs of educators and practitioners. It has long been the position of Early Childhood Ireland that the Government must set a date for pay parity for graduates working in Early Years and School Age settings. We recognise the importance of measures to increase affordability, and we agree that capacity is crucial to strengthening the system. None of the proposals to address fees or increase the number of places will work unless serious and sustainable changes are made in relation to staffing. The national staff turnover rate of almost 25% is unsustainable and would not be tolerated in national or secondary education settings. We will be releasing our Budget 2027 submission next week, and we are very grateful to the Deputies who attended our ‘Meet the CEO’ event. We will be briefing members of Fianna Fáil, the Green Party and others in the coming weeks.
Motion in Dáil Éireann
On Thursday, 2 July, Dáil Éireann debated a motion put down by Sinn Féin during their private members’ time on ‘Childcare Services’. This motion called for;
- Government to publish a road map to deliver the promised €200 per month cost of Early Years and School Age Care
- An extension of Building Blocks Grant to allow for the purchase of buildings
- Increase of pay for EY and SAC from September 2026 and examining the State taking over wages in the sector
- Extend Parents Leave and Benefit to allow parents to have one year at home with a newborn
- Extensive consultation with Childminders on the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Childminding Services) Regulations 2024
- Initiate a review of Core Funding
In response to this motion, the Government tabled an amendment focusing on its achievements to date, which stated that they had made progress on access and affordability. It also emphasised the development of Phase 1 and 2 of Shaping the Future: The Early Years Action Plan, which we have looked at in previous Policy in Actions this year.
In response to the matter of workforce wages, terms and conditions, the Minister for Children stated that the government agree that “there is no early learning and childcare sector without educators and practitioners”. The Minister pointed to the ongoing Employment Regulation Order (ERO) process and said that the government has made €45 million in funding available for it. The Minister also highlighted that, as part of Phase 2 of Shaping the Future, alternative mechanisms may be considered to enhance long-term improvements to terms and conditions.
In response to the motion, all opposition parties and independents who spoke expressed support for the motion. The Social Democrats spokesperson, Daniel Ennis TD, recommended capping costs at €200 per month while the state works towards a “public model of early childhood education and care”. The Labour Party spokesperson, Mark Wall TD, said of the motion that “it is the view of my party that the Government must go further to ensure there truly is delivery of public childcare provision.” Members of the Independent groupings supported the motion.
While this debate ran until after 1 am, many speakers from both the Opposition and the Government commented that Deputies stayed late to take their speaking time, because of how seriously members of the House take the issue of Early Years and School Age Care.
The vote on the amendment has been tabled until next week. The high attendance of TDs at a very late-night sitting is encouraging. It indicates that this is a key priority in this Dáil. Early Childhood Ireland hopes that this term, and hopefully this forthcoming Budget, will be the one in which we see a delivery of pay parity and security for educators and practitioners
If you have any questions or would like to know more about our work, please get in touch with policy@earlychildhoodireland.ie.
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How to Track Your Garda Vetting applications and avoid unnecessary delays
Keeping Garda Vetting applications moving smoothly often comes down to one simple task: tracking them regularly. While processing times are determined by the National Vetting Bureau, many delays occur before an application even enters the vetting process because applicants have not completed their NVB link. Regularly monitoring your Garda Vetting Dashboard, using the NVB tracker, and following up with applicants can help identify issues early, reduce delays, and ensure applications progress as quickly as possible.
Accessing your Garda Vetting Dashboard
The Garda Vetting Dashboard provides a centralised view of all applications submitted through Early Childhood Ireland. It allows you to monitor applications, locate reference numbers, and track progress throughout the vetting process.
To access your dashboard:
- Log in to the Early Childhood Ireland website
- Navigate to My Account
- Open the Garda Vetting Dashboard
If your organisation operates across multiple sites and uses more than one Membership or Garda Vetting user number, ensure you are logged into the correct account, as only applications linked to that membership number will be displayed.
Check applications 24 hours after submission
Once an application has been submitted, it is vital the designated Garda Vetting contact for your setting checks their email inbox or the setting dashboard approximately 24 hours later to confirm that the application has been submitted and received successfully.
If:
- No confirmation email has been received, and
- The applicant does not appear on the dashboard,
this indicates that the application was not successfully submitted and should be resubmitted. Always ensure the “Thank You” screen appears after clicking submit.
To track an application, you will need:
- The ECI Reference Number (Application ID)
- The applicant’s date of birth
The tracker provides real-time updates on the application’s current stage and is available 24 hours a day. You can find clear explanations for each step of the status history of the Garda Vetting process in our Garda Vetting FAQs, under the section “How can I track an application I have submitted for a staff member?”.
Don’t forget to follow up with applicants
A key part of managing applications is ensuring applicants complete the NVB link they receive by email. An application cannot begin processing until the applicant has accessed, completed, and submitted their NVB link correctly.
We recommend that validators:
- Confirm applicants have received the NVB email
- Ask applicants to check junk or spam folders if the email has not arrived
- If email link received, ensure applicants can access the link successfully
- Follow up if the link has not been completed within a reasonable timeframe (Link will expire after 30 days)
A quick follow-up can often prevent weeks of avoidable delay.
When your applicant confirms they have completed the NVB link, use the NVB tracker to ensure your applicant has completed the link correctly. If the applicant has completed the link correctly, on the tracker you should see ‘Application submitted to NVB for processing’
If the applicant has completed the application incorrectly, you will see something similar to the below:
Applications will be cancelled and resent to the applicant until they have completed the link correctly. Therefore, it is important to use the NVB tracker and follow up with applicants, as only the applicant receives an email outlining the issue and providing instructions on how to amend it when the link is completed incorrectly.
Timeline reminder – The clock starts when the applicant submits the NVB link
One of the most important points to remember is that processing timelines do not begin when the validator submits the applicant’s details to Early Childhood Ireland. Timelines only begin once the applicant has completed and submitted their NVB application link.
Current processing timelines are approximately:
- Standard applications: 15–20 working days
- Applications with EU address history: up to 25–30 working days
- Applications with UK address history: up to 35–40 working days
Please note that some applications may take longer depending on individual circumstances.
Re-vetting applications require the same processing time
A common misconception is that re-vetting applications are processed faster than new applications. This is not the case. Re-vetting applications follow the same process and are subject to the same processing timelines as new Garda Vetting applications. The NVB processes applications in chronological order, and applications cannot be prioritised or expedited.
For this reason, services should begin the re-vetting process well in advance of disclosure expiry dates. Starting re-vetting 2–3 months before expiration can help avoid disruption and ensure your setting remains compliant.
Key takeaway
Regularly checking your Garda Vetting Dashboard, tracking applications through the NVB Tracker, and following up with applicants who have not completed their NVB link are some of the most effective ways to prevent delays.
With the busy recruitment and re-vetting period approaching, now is the ideal time to review upcoming Garda Vetting requirements within your service. We encourage members to begin both new vetting and re-vetting applications as early as possible, keeping current processing timelines in mind. A proactive approach, combined with regular tracking of applications and timely follow-up with applicants, can help avoid unnecessary delays and ensure applications are completed when needed
Share this post
More to explore
How to Track Your Garda Vetting applications and avoid unnecessary delays
Keeping Garda Vetting applications moving smoothly often comes down to one simple task: tracking them regularly. While processing times are determined by the National Vetting Bureau, many delays occur before an application even enters the vetting process because applicants have not completed their NVB link. Regularly monitoring your Garda Vetting Dashboard, using the NVB tracker, and following up with applicants can help identify issues early, reduce delays, and ensure applications progress as quickly as possible.
Accessing your Garda Vetting Dashboard
The Garda Vetting Dashboard provides a centralised view of all applications submitted through Early Childhood Ireland. It allows you to monitor applications, locate reference numbers, and track progress throughout the vetting process.
To access your dashboard:
- Log in to the Early Childhood Ireland website
- Navigate to My Account
- Open the Garda Vetting Dashboard
If your organisation operates across multiple sites and uses more than one Membership or Garda Vetting user number, ensure you are logged into the correct account, as only applications linked to that membership number will be displayed.
Check applications 24 hours after submission
Once an application has been submitted, it is vital the designated Garda Vetting contact for your setting checks their email inbox or the setting dashboard approximately 24 hours later to confirm that the application has been submitted and received successfully.
If:
- No confirmation email has been received, and
- The applicant does not appear on the dashboard,
this indicates that the application was not successfully submitted and should be resubmitted. Always ensure the “Thank You” screen appears after clicking submit.
To track an application, you will need:
- The ECI Reference Number (Application ID)
- The applicant’s date of birth
The tracker provides real-time updates on the application’s current stage and is available 24 hours a day. You can find clear explanations for each step of the status history of the Garda Vetting process in our Garda Vetting FAQs, under the section “How can I track an application I have submitted for a staff member?”.
Don’t forget to follow up with applicants
A key part of managing applications is ensuring applicants complete the NVB link they receive by email. An application cannot begin processing until the applicant has accessed, completed, and submitted their NVB link correctly.
We recommend that validators:
- Confirm applicants have received the NVB email
- Ask applicants to check junk or spam folders if the email has not arrived
- If email link received, ensure applicants can access the link successfully
- Follow up if the link has not been completed within a reasonable timeframe (Link will expire after 30 days)
A quick follow-up can often prevent weeks of avoidable delay.
When your applicant confirms they have completed the NVB link, use the NVB tracker to ensure your applicant has completed the link correctly. If the applicant has completed the link correctly, on the tracker you should see ‘Application submitted to NVB for processing’
If the applicant has completed the application incorrectly, you will see something similar to the below:
Applications will be cancelled and resent to the applicant until they have completed the link correctly. Therefore, it is important to use the NVB tracker and follow up with applicants, as only the applicant receives an email outlining the issue and providing instructions on how to amend it when the link is completed incorrectly.
Timeline reminder – The clock starts when the applicant submits the NVB link
One of the most important points to remember is that processing timelines do not begin when the validator submits the applicant’s details to Early Childhood Ireland. Timelines only begin once the applicant has completed and submitted their NVB application link.
Current processing timelines are approximately:
- Standard applications: 15–20 working days
- Applications with EU address history: up to 25–30 working days
- Applications with UK address history: up to 35–40 working days
Please note that some applications may take longer depending on individual circumstances.
Re-vetting applications require the same processing time
A common misconception is that re-vetting applications are processed faster than new applications. This is not the case. Re-vetting applications follow the same process and are subject to the same processing timelines as new Garda Vetting applications. The NVB processes applications in chronological order, and applications cannot be prioritised or expedited.
For this reason, services should begin the re-vetting process well in advance of disclosure expiry dates. Starting re-vetting 2–3 months before expiration can help avoid disruption and ensure your setting remains compliant.
Key takeaway
Regularly checking your Garda Vetting Dashboard, tracking applications through the NVB Tracker, and following up with applicants who have not completed their NVB link are some of the most effective ways to prevent delays.
With the busy recruitment and re-vetting period approaching, now is the ideal time to review upcoming Garda Vetting requirements within your service. We encourage members to begin both new vetting and re-vetting applications as early as possible, keeping current processing timelines in mind. A proactive approach, combined with regular tracking of applications and timely follow-up with applicants, can help avoid unnecessary delays and ensure applications are completed when needed
High quality Early Years for children under three-Part 1
First Event of Early Childhood Ireland’s Budget 2027 Campaign
Action needed: Download your certificates
Our new ECI Professional Learning Hub will launch next month. The certificates you have already gained will not automatically transfer.
We ask that you please download any certificates you may need from the current Learning Hub for both you and your staff.
