648. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the strategy in place to provide continuing professional development in the early years sector; the plans to expand CPD offerings for educators working in the sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47838/26]

The Government is committed to supporting a highly skilled, professional and sustainable workforce across the Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare sectors. The strategic framework for workforce development, including Continuing Professional Development, is set out in Nurturing Skills: The Workforce Plan for Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare 2022–2028.

Nurturing Skills recognises that access to high-quality professional learning is essential to supporting educators and practitioners to continuously develop their knowledge, skills and practice throughout their careers. Nurturing Skills sets out a range of commitments to strengthen and coordinate Continuing Professional Development provision across the sector, ensuring that professional learning opportunities are accessible, relevant and responsive to workforce needs.

A key development under the Nurturing Skills framework is the establishment of the Nurturing Skills Learning Hub, available through the Nurturing Skills website. The Learning Hub provides a central location through which educators and practitioners can access information on available Continuing Professional Development opportunities, learning resources and professional development supports. It adds to and enhances the work of the Department funded agencies and support organisations that continue to play a central role in designing and delivering Continuing Professional Development programmes, mentoring, coaching and practice supports across the sector.

Through the implementation of Nurturing Skills, the ongoing work of support organisations, and the continued development of the Nurturing Skills Learning Hub and wider Continuing Professional Development infrastructure, The Department is committed to expanding access to high quality professional development opportunities and supporting a culture of lifelong learning across the Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare sectors.