Frances Byrne
@fraffieb.bsky.social
Politics wonk & current affairs addict.
Reposted by Frances Byrne
In October’s Making the News, we provide an update on Early Childhood Ireland’s media activity for Budget 2026, including our participation in key policy discussions at the Oireachtas.
Learn more 🗞️ - loom.ly/fuJmLVw
Learn more 🗞️ - loom.ly/fuJmLVw
Making the News: Wrapping up Budget 2026 - Early Childhood Ireland
In October’s Making the News, we share highlights of our Budget 2026 media activity, and contributions to key Oireachtas policy discussions.
loom.ly
November 14, 2025 at 2:30 PM
In October’s Making the News, we provide an update on Early Childhood Ireland’s media activity for Budget 2026, including our participation in key policy discussions at the Oireachtas.
Learn more 🗞️ - loom.ly/fuJmLVw
Learn more 🗞️ - loom.ly/fuJmLVw
Reposted by Frances Byrne
In just one week, the world will celebrate the UN #InternationalDayOfPlay! ✨
As we count down to this big day, we’re revisiting insightful blogs, podcasts and research on play, in all its forms.
Let's start by reflecting on why play is so important!
buff.ly/hzeokMM
As we count down to this big day, we’re revisiting insightful blogs, podcasts and research on play, in all its forms.
Let's start by reflecting on why play is so important!
buff.ly/hzeokMM
June 4, 2025 at 9:01 AM
In just one week, the world will celebrate the UN #InternationalDayOfPlay! ✨
As we count down to this big day, we’re revisiting insightful blogs, podcasts and research on play, in all its forms.
Let's start by reflecting on why play is so important!
buff.ly/hzeokMM
As we count down to this big day, we’re revisiting insightful blogs, podcasts and research on play, in all its forms.
Let's start by reflecting on why play is so important!
buff.ly/hzeokMM
Reposted by Frances Byrne
The 2024 Implementation Report on First 5, the ten-year strategy supporting young children & families, is now available.
✅ 56% of the 2024 milestones have been achieved, with progress on others.
🔎 We’re monitoring First 5's progress. Learn more in Policy in Focus.
buff.ly/kv6S5Gc
✅ 56% of the 2024 milestones have been achieved, with progress on others.
🔎 We’re monitoring First 5's progress. Learn more in Policy in Focus.
buff.ly/kv6S5Gc
May 13, 2025 at 4:02 PM
The 2024 Implementation Report on First 5, the ten-year strategy supporting young children & families, is now available.
✅ 56% of the 2024 milestones have been achieved, with progress on others.
🔎 We’re monitoring First 5's progress. Learn more in Policy in Focus.
buff.ly/kv6S5Gc
✅ 56% of the 2024 milestones have been achieved, with progress on others.
🔎 We’re monitoring First 5's progress. Learn more in Policy in Focus.
buff.ly/kv6S5Gc
Reposted by Frances Byrne
🚩 Retention & recruitment continue to be the biggest challenges facing Early Years & School Age Care settings.
National staff turnover rate for settings in Ireland is 25%, according to the Department of Children, Disability and Equality.
Read more in this week's Policy in Action🎬
buff.ly/tK9Eo71
National staff turnover rate for settings in Ireland is 25%, according to the Department of Children, Disability and Equality.
Read more in this week's Policy in Action🎬
buff.ly/tK9Eo71
April 5, 2025 at 2:01 PM
🚩 Retention & recruitment continue to be the biggest challenges facing Early Years & School Age Care settings.
National staff turnover rate for settings in Ireland is 25%, according to the Department of Children, Disability and Equality.
Read more in this week's Policy in Action🎬
buff.ly/tK9Eo71
National staff turnover rate for settings in Ireland is 25%, according to the Department of Children, Disability and Equality.
Read more in this week's Policy in Action🎬
buff.ly/tK9Eo71
Reposted by Frances Byrne
Today’s report by the @ihrec.bsky.social and @esri.ie provides an important examination of the usage of parental leave benefits in Ireland. 👨👦
It highlights that only 26% of fathers availed of their Paternity Leave entitlements, compared to 69% of women.
buff.ly/l0lFkAc
It highlights that only 26% of fathers availed of their Paternity Leave entitlements, compared to 69% of women.
buff.ly/l0lFkAc
April 4, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Today’s report by the @ihrec.bsky.social and @esri.ie provides an important examination of the usage of parental leave benefits in Ireland. 👨👦
It highlights that only 26% of fathers availed of their Paternity Leave entitlements, compared to 69% of women.
buff.ly/l0lFkAc
It highlights that only 26% of fathers availed of their Paternity Leave entitlements, compared to 69% of women.
buff.ly/l0lFkAc
Reposted by Frances Byrne
Affordable Early Years education is crucial in the fight against #childpoverty.
New research from @cpaguk.bsky.social stresses the need to improve access to high-quality Early Years provisions for families in need.
Read our analysis in this week's Policy in Focus🔎
New research from @cpaguk.bsky.social stresses the need to improve access to high-quality Early Years provisions for families in need.
Read our analysis in this week's Policy in Focus🔎
How to deliver an effective child poverty strategy - Early Childhood Ireland
We provide an overview of what is necessary to ensure a child poverty strategy is effective, as reported in the UK.
buff.ly
March 25, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Affordable Early Years education is crucial in the fight against #childpoverty.
New research from @cpaguk.bsky.social stresses the need to improve access to high-quality Early Years provisions for families in need.
Read our analysis in this week's Policy in Focus🔎
New research from @cpaguk.bsky.social stresses the need to improve access to high-quality Early Years provisions for families in need.
Read our analysis in this week's Policy in Focus🔎
Reposted by Frances Byrne
🗞️ Media update 🗞️
We share recent coverage on the #ECIBarometer and our call for improved pay and conditions for Early Years and School Age Care graduates in this month's Making the News.
We share recent coverage on the #ECIBarometer and our call for improved pay and conditions for Early Years and School Age Care graduates in this month's Making the News.
Barometer 2025 and pay and conditions for graduates - Early Childhood Ireland
In February’s Making the News, we take a closer look at the Barometer 2025 and the challenges facing Early Years graduates.
buff.ly
March 18, 2025 at 3:00 PM
🗞️ Media update 🗞️
We share recent coverage on the #ECIBarometer and our call for improved pay and conditions for Early Years and School Age Care graduates in this month's Making the News.
We share recent coverage on the #ECIBarometer and our call for improved pay and conditions for Early Years and School Age Care graduates in this month's Making the News.
Reposted by Frances Byrne
Without improved pay and conditions, we will continue to lose talented Early Years and School Age Care graduates to other areas. 🎓
Learn more about our solutions.
#IWD2025
buff.ly/3Vk20Go
Learn more about our solutions.
#IWD2025
buff.ly/3Vk20Go
March 12, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Without improved pay and conditions, we will continue to lose talented Early Years and School Age Care graduates to other areas. 🎓
Learn more about our solutions.
#IWD2025
buff.ly/3Vk20Go
Learn more about our solutions.
#IWD2025
buff.ly/3Vk20Go
Reposted by Frances Byrne
Ireland is one of only a few European countries that undertakes a national evaluation of the quality of Early Childhood Education and Care.
Read more in the fourth article of our series on the EU Commission's Euridyce report. 🎬
Read more in the fourth article of our series on the EU Commission's Euridyce report. 🎬
Evaluating and monitoring quality is vital for policy development - Early Childhood Ireland
Early Childhood Ireland look at how European countries monitor and evaluate quality in their monitoring quality systems
buff.ly
March 4, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Ireland is one of only a few European countries that undertakes a national evaluation of the quality of Early Childhood Education and Care.
Read more in the fourth article of our series on the EU Commission's Euridyce report. 🎬
Read more in the fourth article of our series on the EU Commission's Euridyce report. 🎬
Reposted by Frances Byrne
Weekend read! 📖
Think-tank for Action on Social Change (TASC) recently launched their report on 'Educators’ perspectives on the challenges, successes and opportunities of the DEIS programme'.
We analyse the findings in this week's Policy in Focus. 🔎
Think-tank for Action on Social Change (TASC) recently launched their report on 'Educators’ perspectives on the challenges, successes and opportunities of the DEIS programme'.
We analyse the findings in this week's Policy in Focus. 🔎
Educators’ perspectives on the DEIS programme - Early Childhood Ireland
We outline the findings from a recent TASC’s report on Educators’ perspectives on the challenges, successes and opportunities of the DEIS.
buff.ly
March 1, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Weekend read! 📖
Think-tank for Action on Social Change (TASC) recently launched their report on 'Educators’ perspectives on the challenges, successes and opportunities of the DEIS programme'.
We analyse the findings in this week's Policy in Focus. 🔎
Think-tank for Action on Social Change (TASC) recently launched their report on 'Educators’ perspectives on the challenges, successes and opportunities of the DEIS programme'.
We analyse the findings in this week's Policy in Focus. 🔎
Reposted by Frances Byrne
In our latest podcast, our Director of Policy, Frances Byrne (@fraffieb.bsky.social), analyses the results of this year's #ECIBarometer. 📊
Thanks to our sponsors Arachas Insurance.
https://buff.ly/41uHrtU
Thanks to our sponsors Arachas Insurance.
https://buff.ly/41uHrtU
February 27, 2025 at 2:06 PM
In our latest podcast, our Director of Policy, Frances Byrne (@fraffieb.bsky.social), analyses the results of this year's #ECIBarometer. 📊
Thanks to our sponsors Arachas Insurance.
https://buff.ly/41uHrtU
Thanks to our sponsors Arachas Insurance.
https://buff.ly/41uHrtU
Reposted by Frances Byrne
📈 80% of Munster adults support guaranteed access to Early Years and School Age Care for all children, yet we are far from this goal.
Our Director of Policy (@fraffieb.bsky.social) discussed the urgent need for more investment with @echolive.bsky.social.
#ECIBarometerWeek
Our Director of Policy (@fraffieb.bsky.social) discussed the urgent need for more investment with @echolive.bsky.social.
#ECIBarometerWeek
Poll shows strong support for early-years care for all children
The barometer 2025 data found that in Munster 80% of people believe every child should be guaranteed access to high-quality and inclusive early years ...
buff.ly
February 18, 2025 at 2:30 PM
📈 80% of Munster adults support guaranteed access to Early Years and School Age Care for all children, yet we are far from this goal.
Our Director of Policy (@fraffieb.bsky.social) discussed the urgent need for more investment with @echolive.bsky.social.
#ECIBarometerWeek
Our Director of Policy (@fraffieb.bsky.social) discussed the urgent need for more investment with @echolive.bsky.social.
#ECIBarometerWeek
Reposted by Frances Byrne
We look at the findings of the Department of @Education_Ire Inspectorate Report and Thematic Review (2021-2024) in relation to #EarlyYears settings in this week's Policy in Focus. 🔎
https://buff.ly/4hTYTgA
https://buff.ly/4hTYTgA
Department of Education Inspectorate Report and Thematic Review - Early Childhood Ireland
We provide an overview of the findings from the recent Department of Education Inspectorate Report (2021-2023) and Thematic Review.
buff.ly
February 14, 2025 at 2:54 PM
We look at the findings of the Department of @Education_Ire Inspectorate Report and Thematic Review (2021-2024) in relation to #EarlyYears settings in this week's Policy in Focus. 🔎
https://buff.ly/4hTYTgA
https://buff.ly/4hTYTgA
Reposted by Frances Byrne
🇪🇺 How is Early Years and School Age Care changing across Europe?
We're starting a series examining the EU Commission’s new 'Key Data on Early Childhood Education and Care in Europe 2025' report, beginning with workforce composition and working conditions.
https://buff.ly/3EIvGH3
We're starting a series examining the EU Commission’s new 'Key Data on Early Childhood Education and Care in Europe 2025' report, beginning with workforce composition and working conditions.
https://buff.ly/3EIvGH3
www.earlychildhoodireland.ie
February 11, 2025 at 3:30 PM
🇪🇺 How is Early Years and School Age Care changing across Europe?
We're starting a series examining the EU Commission’s new 'Key Data on Early Childhood Education and Care in Europe 2025' report, beginning with workforce composition and working conditions.
https://buff.ly/3EIvGH3
We're starting a series examining the EU Commission’s new 'Key Data on Early Childhood Education and Care in Europe 2025' report, beginning with workforce composition and working conditions.
https://buff.ly/3EIvGH3
Reposted by Frances Byrne
🎤 Two young experts, Heidi and Sean, took centre stage at last week's Barnahus conference.
During a panel facilitated by our Research Manager, Dr @carmelward.bsky.social they shared their thoughts on the new Barnahus logo to help shape the final design.
And the verdict? 👇
During a panel facilitated by our Research Manager, Dr @carmelward.bsky.social they shared their thoughts on the new Barnahus logo to help shape the final design.
And the verdict? 👇
February 6, 2025 at 11:00 AM
🎤 Two young experts, Heidi and Sean, took centre stage at last week's Barnahus conference.
During a panel facilitated by our Research Manager, Dr @carmelward.bsky.social they shared their thoughts on the new Barnahus logo to help shape the final design.
And the verdict? 👇
During a panel facilitated by our Research Manager, Dr @carmelward.bsky.social they shared their thoughts on the new Barnahus logo to help shape the final design.
And the verdict? 👇
Reposted by Frances Byrne
Speaking at the launch of the @oecd-ocde.bsky.social s' latest report, Andreas Schleicher stated that policy makers should focus on the training that #EarlyYears and #SchoolAgeCare staff have to address the needs of children.
Read our full analysis of the report. 👇
https://buff.ly/4aNp4TW
Read our full analysis of the report. 👇
https://buff.ly/4aNp4TW
Policy in Action 5 February 2025 - Early Childhood Ireland
Attracting, training and retaining high-quality early years staff is the cornerstone for a system that delivers quality for all children.
www.earlychildhoodireland.ie
February 5, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Speaking at the launch of the @oecd-ocde.bsky.social s' latest report, Andreas Schleicher stated that policy makers should focus on the training that #EarlyYears and #SchoolAgeCare staff have to address the needs of children.
Read our full analysis of the report. 👇
https://buff.ly/4aNp4TW
Read our full analysis of the report. 👇
https://buff.ly/4aNp4TW
Heading over to see the young one - she was only home at Christmas - I still asked if anything was wanted. ‘Barry’s Decaf please’ came the reply. So here I am en route to Edinburgh with 160 bags of CARK tea 🤦♀️ #ParentingFail
a woman is asking if she is a member of a family
ALT: a woman is asking if she is a member of a family
media.tenor.com
January 31, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Heading over to see the young one - she was only home at Christmas - I still asked if anything was wanted. ‘Barry’s Decaf please’ came the reply. So here I am en route to Edinburgh with 160 bags of CARK tea 🤦♀️ #ParentingFail
Reposted by Frances Byrne
Important conversations are taking place this morning at the @oecd-ocde.bsky.social launch of Reducing Inequalities by Investing in Early Childhood Education and Care, with insightful discussions on the future of #EarlyYears.
Watch out for our analysis in an upcoming Policy in Action.
Watch out for our analysis in an upcoming Policy in Action.
January 29, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Important conversations are taking place this morning at the @oecd-ocde.bsky.social launch of Reducing Inequalities by Investing in Early Childhood Education and Care, with insightful discussions on the future of #EarlyYears.
Watch out for our analysis in an upcoming Policy in Action.
Watch out for our analysis in an upcoming Policy in Action.
Reposted by Frances Byrne
🆕 New podcast episode! 🆕
Our Director of Policy, Frances Byrne (@fraffieb.bsky.social), and our Press Officer, Emily Clarke, reflect on the #GE24 campaign and discuss the next steps as a new Programme for Government is announced.
Sponsored by @_Arachas_
Our Director of Policy, Frances Byrne (@fraffieb.bsky.social), and our Press Officer, Emily Clarke, reflect on the #GE24 campaign and discuss the next steps as a new Programme for Government is announced.
Sponsored by @_Arachas_
January 23, 2025 at 12:30 PM
🆕 New podcast episode! 🆕
Our Director of Policy, Frances Byrne (@fraffieb.bsky.social), and our Press Officer, Emily Clarke, reflect on the #GE24 campaign and discuss the next steps as a new Programme for Government is announced.
Sponsored by @_Arachas_
Our Director of Policy, Frances Byrne (@fraffieb.bsky.social), and our Press Officer, Emily Clarke, reflect on the #GE24 campaign and discuss the next steps as a new Programme for Government is announced.
Sponsored by @_Arachas_
Reposted by Frances Byrne
Hello Bluesky! 👋
Early Childhood Ireland is the largest membership organisation in the sector dedicated to ensuring that every young child is thriving and learning in quality #EarlyYears and #SchoolAgeCare in centre based and Childminding settings.
#QualityforChildren
https://buff.ly/3Wcu529
Early Childhood Ireland is the largest membership organisation in the sector dedicated to ensuring that every young child is thriving and learning in quality #EarlyYears and #SchoolAgeCare in centre based and Childminding settings.
#QualityforChildren
https://buff.ly/3Wcu529
January 13, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Hello Bluesky! 👋
Early Childhood Ireland is the largest membership organisation in the sector dedicated to ensuring that every young child is thriving and learning in quality #EarlyYears and #SchoolAgeCare in centre based and Childminding settings.
#QualityforChildren
https://buff.ly/3Wcu529
Early Childhood Ireland is the largest membership organisation in the sector dedicated to ensuring that every young child is thriving and learning in quality #EarlyYears and #SchoolAgeCare in centre based and Childminding settings.
#QualityforChildren
https://buff.ly/3Wcu529
December 19, 2024 at 8:07 AM
This just has to be addressed. An essential health service in an area of severe disadvantage owing to decades of neglect and deliberate exclusion is under threat www.rte.ie/news/primeti...
Charity warns tax decision could leave 2,600 people without a GP
It's a busy clinic in Dublin's north inner city with a full patient list that everyone seems to love, yet it is facing closure.
www.rte.ie
November 12, 2024 at 7:03 PM
This just has to be addressed. An essential health service in an area of severe disadvantage owing to decades of neglect and deliberate exclusion is under threat www.rte.ie/news/primeti...
Great (and brave) read, this
Should you be bored... did an analysis of the electoral boundary changes in Dublin.... and who might take seats etc etc
wp.me/p14WQ-wd6
wp.me/p14WQ-wd6
September 20, 2023 at 6:37 AM
Great (and brave) read, this
Enoch Burke is all over the media in Ireland again. In an ideal world, they would completely ignore him and his awful family. Wishful thinking I know, but the attention is what they crave most.
September 9, 2023 at 8:50 AM
Enoch Burke is all over the media in Ireland again. In an ideal world, they would completely ignore him and his awful family. Wishful thinking I know, but the attention is what they crave most.