Qualifications Advisory Board (QAB) for the Early Learning and Care (ELC) Sector
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From: Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
- Published on: 18 November 2020
- Last updated on: 31 March 2025
- What we do
- Terms of Reference
- Membership
- List of Expert Reviewers
- Professional Award Criteria and Guidelines
- Professional Award Criteria and Guidelines Application Form
- QAB Cover Sheet
- Programme Review Templates
- List of approved Programmes with Adherence to the Professional Award Criteria and Guidelines
- QAB Programme Amendment Form
- Implementation Review Process
- Additional Information for Programme Applicants
- Qualifications Advisory Board Appeal Procedure
- QAB Processes
- Privacy Notice
- Contact
The Qualifications Advisory Board (QAB) has been jointly instituted by the Minister for Education and the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs on a non-statutory basis to review Initial Professional Education (Level 7 and Level 8) Degree Programmes for the Early Learning and Care (ELC) Sector. This is in support of Ireland’s plan for the development and upskilling of the Early Learning and Care workforce between now and the year 2028. It follows the publication in April 2019 of the Professional Award Criteria and Guidelines (PACG) for Initial Professional Education (Level 7 and Level 8) Degree Programmes for the Early Learning and Care (ELC) Sector in Ireland as agreed by the two Ministers and published on the website of the Department of Education.
What we do
The Qualifications Advisory Board is tasked with:
- reviewing programme proposals and confirming their coherence with the PACG through the provision of expert reports.
- advising the Department of Education and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whether a programme, once validated as a professional award, can be considered for inclusion on a revised list of professional qualifications for the Early Learning and Care sector
Terms of Reference
Membership
| Dr. Máire Mhic Mhathúna | Chairperson, nominated by Ministers | |
| Grace Bolton | Secretary to the Board | |
| Paul Gleeson | Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth | |
| Jill Fannin | Department of Education | |
| Barbara Kelly | Quality and Qualifications Ireland | |
| Dr. Breda McTaggart | Technological Higher Education Association | |
| Dr. Glenda Walsh | Independent expert, Stranmillis University College, nominated by Ministers | |
| Dr. Nóirín Hayes | Irish Universities Association | |
| Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Secretariat |
List of Expert Reviewers
Professional Award Criteria and Guidelines
Professional Award Criteria and Guidelines Application Form
Qualifications Advisory Board Guidance for Applicants
QAB Cover Sheet
To be filled out and submitted with all applications including: Initial Applications, Resubmissions and Programme Amendment Forms.
Programme Review Templates
List of approved Programmes with Adherence to the Professional Award Criteria and Guidelines
QAB Programme Amendment Form
Implementation Review Process
Additional Information for Programme Applicants
Qualifications Advisory Board Appeal Procedure
QAB Processes
Privacy Notice
Contact
| By email: | QAB@equality.gov.ie |
| By post: | Qualifications Advisory Board Secretariat, The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Block 1, Miesian Plaza, 50 – 58 Baggot Street, Dublin 2, D02 XW14. |