650. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps being taken to ensure continuing professional development is available across early years services statewide; if she accepts that widespread access to CPD is vital to the implementation of the Aistear framework and creating inclusive learning environments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47840/26]

The Department is committed to strengthening access to professional learning and development opportunities across the early learning and care, school-age childcare and childminding sectors. A range of Continuing Professional Development supports is currently available through the Nurturing Skills Learning Hub.

One of the five pillars of Nurturing Skills the Workforce Plan for Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare 2022-2028, is the development of a national Continuing Professional Development system. Better Start, Quality Development service, now delivers the national Continuing Professional Development system. With the integration of the National Síolta Aistear Initiative in to Better Start a more cohesive approach to the provision of all resources and training for educators and practitioners and specifically to support the implementation of the updated Aistear curriculum framework.

Through the new Nurturing Skills Learning Hub and supported by Childcare Committees Continuing Professional Development is now more accessible, consistent and high quality, supporting educators and practitioners to identify and engage with relevant learning opportunities regardless of location.

These measures will complement broader quality improvement initiatives, including supports for the implementation of Síolta and Aistear, and will assist educators and practitioners in enhancing their practice and strengthening inclusive approaches to early learning and care and school-age childcare. Through these initiatives, the Government is working to ensure that all educators and practitioners have access to the knowledge, skills and supports necessary to deliver high-quality and inclusive services for children and families nationwide.