649. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the subject areas that are a priority for continuing professional development in the early years sector; the number of CPD fields of study that will be made available; the total budget figure that her Department has committed to the provision of CPD; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47839/26]

The development of a highly skilled and professionally supported workforce is a key commitment in Nurturing Skills. Continuing Professional Development plays a critical role in supporting educators and practitioners to enhance their knowledge, skills and practice, ultimately improving outcomes for children attending early learning and care and school-age childcare services.

The Department's approach to Continuing Professional Development is informed by national policy frameworks, including Nurturing Skills: The Workforce Plan for Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare, 2022–2028. Priority areas for Continuing Professional Development include, but are not limited to, curriculum and pedagogy; children's rights and participation; inclusion and diversity; supporting children with additional needs; leadership and management; quality improvement; wellbeing; play-based learning; language development; transitions; outdoor learning; and Irish-language provision.

As work progresses on the development of a national Continuing Professional Development system for the sector through the Nurturing Skills Learning Hub, a broad range of learning opportunities will be made available, encompassing formal, non-formal and informal learning. The precise number of Continuing Professional Development fields of study will evolve and grow over time in response to workforce needs, policy priorities and emerging evidence. Accordingly, a fixed number of Continuing Professional Development fields has not been prescribed. Rather, the intention is to provide a comprehensive and responsive suite of professional learning opportunities that support all roles across the sector.

In relation to funding, to support Continuing Professional Development related development and implementation activities, the Department has provided in excess of €3 million, historically, to Better start, the Quality Development Service and to a range of support organisations whose remit includes the design, development and delivery of Continuing Professional Development, mentoring, coaching and practice support for the sector. These organisations play a central role in ensuring that high-quality, evidence-informed professional learning opportunities are available to early years educators and school-age childcare practitioners throughout the country.

Nurturing Skills will continue to strengthen professional learning opportunities across the sector and to support a culture of continuous professional development as a cornerstone of high-quality early learning and care and school-age childcare provision.