Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 March 2012
34 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in view of the fact that the Health Information and Quality Authority is tasked with ensuring that standards are adhered to, the date on which HIQA will commence its service in the private and public crèche facilities provided in the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15180/12]
View answer46 Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in view of the fact that the Health Information and Quality Authority is tasked with ensuring that standards are adhered to, the date on which HIQA will commence its service in the private and public crèche facilities provided in the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15179/12]
View answer56 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in view of the fact that the Health Information and Quality Authority is tasked with ensuring that standards are adhered to, the date on which HIQA will commence its service in the private and public crèche facilities provided in the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15178/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 34, 46 and 56 together.
The Health Information and Quality Authority may set standards and undertake investigations of pre-school services funded by the Health Service Executive under sections 38 and 39 of the Health Act 2004. However, the overwhelming majority of pre-school facilities in the State are either community-run or commercial facilities, and do not fall within the remit of the Authority. These services are regulated under the Child Care (Pre-School Services) (No. 2) Regulations 2006, as provided for under Part VII of the Child Care Act 1991.
Services providing care for children who have not yet commenced primary school are required to notify their service to the Pre-School Inspectorate of the Health Service Executive (HSE) and are subject to inspection and report by the Inspectorate on a regular basis. In December 2010, National Quality Standards for Pre-School Services were published by the then Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. These Standards provide a framework within which services are encouraged to work towards best practice and a child-centred approach in their provision of early childhood care and education to pre-school children.
My Department will continue to review and monitor the regulatory environment for pre-school services as well as supporting quality developments within the sector.
