Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 30 Mar 2000

Vol. 517 No. 2

Written Answers. - Child Care Services.

Richard Bruton

Question:

111 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if 2,000 child care places have been lost as a result of established playgroups being unable to comply with the new regulations; and the plans, if any, he has to introduce a grace period during which existing providers can continue to offer service if they commence a phased improvement programme. [9410/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The Child Care (Pre-School Services) Regulations, 1996, which give effect to the provisions of Part VII of the Child Care Act, 1991, provide for notification to and inspection by health boards of pre-school services. The regulations apply to pre-schools, playgroups, day nurseries, crèches, childminders looking after more than three children and other similar services which cater for children under six years of age.

The purpose of these regulations is to build on the existing good standards in our pre-school ser vices and gradually improve standards throughout the sector to secure the health, safety and welfare of pre-school children and to promote the development of children attending pre-school services.

Under the regulations, pre-school providers are obliged to notify their local health board that they are carrying on or proposing to carry on a pre-school service, rather than to register. On receipt of notification the health board will provide relevant information to the applicant and arrange for an inspection to be carried out by an authorised person.

The requirement to reduce places is mainly related to the availability of adequate space per child in the premises and-or the requirement to have a sufficient number of competent adults supervising the pre-school children in the service at all times.

Where deficiencies are identified, the health board and the providers work in a co-operative manner to make specific improvements in a planned way provided that any delay would not adversely affect the welfare of children. The plan may include a reduction in numbers achieved through natural reduction i.e. not replacing children who leave during the year, reducing numbers on a phased basis, reducing numbers at the beginning of the next school year or the provider moving to a larger premises. The timescale for making improvements varies from a requirement for immediate action to a phased implementation which may extend to six months, exceptionally, a longer period may be allowed.

Precise information on the number of child care places lost as a result of established playgroups being unable to comply with the regulations is not readily available in my Department. I have requested it from the health boards and I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as possible.

The Deputy will be aware that the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform was allocated £250 million to develop child care over the next seven years under the National Development Plan 2000-2006. This funding will facilitate the child care measures which were announced in budget 2000. The main objective of the new measures is an increase in the quantity of child care places and an improvement in the quality of services available.