Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 November 2023
128. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52607/23]
View answerThe Deputy has raised three questions which I will address separately below.
In regards to the first, the regulation of ELC and SAC services is set out in the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016. The link to which can be accessed here:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/1a6d67-child-care-act-1991-early-years-services-regulations-2016/.
In regards to the second, Tusla is the independent statutory regulator of ELC and SAC services in Ireland. As Tusla is independent in its statutory functions, I cannot intervene in relation to particular cases and questions on operational matters should be directed to Tusla for a response. The Tusla Early Years Inspectorate can be contacted at 061 440600 or by emailing ey.registration@tusla.ie.
In regards to the third question, ELC and SAC services are required to have insurance as part of their registration with Tulsa, the independent regulator of the sector. My Department provides funding to providers under a number of programmes to provide fully or partly subsidised ELC and SAC services to families. Providers are private businesses and my Department does not provide funding for specific operational costs such as insurance.
It is important to note that neither the Government, nor the Central Bank of Ireland, can direct the pricing or provision of insurance products, as this is a commercial matter which individual companies assess on a case-by-case basis. This position is reinforced by the EU Single Market framework for insurance (the Solvency II Directive) which expressly prohibits Member States from doing so.
Notwithstanding this, insurance reform is a priority for this Government. The Action Plan for Insurance Reform, which was launched on 8 December 2020, contains a range of deliverables in a number of Government Department policy areas. It is intended that the cumulative effect of the implementation of the actions will be to improve the insurance environment, in particular for businesses. The Minister is a member of the Sub-Group for Insurance Reform, chaired by An Tánaiste, which has been set up within the Cabinet Committee for Economic Recovery and Investment to implement these reforms, and will publish progress reports every six months.
Seeking to secure a more sustainable and competitive market through deepening and widening the supply of insurance in Ireland remains a key policy priority for this Government. In this regard, it is the Government’s intention to ensure that the implementation of the Action Plan can have a positive impact on the affordability and availability of insurance for individuals, businesses and voluntary groups, including providers.
The Department is aware that Early Childhood Ireland (ECI) and Childhood Services Ireland (CSI) operates group schemes to provide insurance at competitive rates to their members.
