Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 September 2013
13. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the proposals she is bringing forward to improve the quality of child care services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38689/13]
View answerThe commitment to improve the quality of early childhood care and education has been a key priority for me since becoming Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. This is why my Department and I have been progressing work on Ireland’s first-ever Early Years Strategy for children aged from birth to six years. In addition, my Department has been actively driving a comprehensive Pre-School Quality Agenda.
I have outlined to the Dail on several occasions, and to the Joint Oireachtas Committee, eight key areas of action which I believe need to be considered and addressed as a matter of urgency. These are:
- Increasing the qualification requirements for all staff in pre-school services to a minimum standard at FETAC Level 5.
- Improving the quality and curricular supports for pre-school services when implementing the Siolta Framework and Aistear Curriculum.
- Implementing the new National Pre-School Standards.
- Introducing a registration system for all pre-school services.
- Taking steps to make the inspection system more consistent and more robust.
- Publishing inspection reports on-line as soon as possible.
- Ensuring appropriate action is taken in response to findings of non-compliance.
- Increasing and widening the sanctions which can be taken for non-compliance.
Starting in September 2014, it is my intention to introduce new qualification requirements for the sector. The qualification requirement for Pre-School Leaders will be increased to Level 6 requirement in childcare/early education. In addition, all other staff caring for children in a pre-school service, will be made subject to a minimum requirement of Level 5. These requirements will apply to new services from September 2014 and to existing services from September 2015. My Department is currently examining measures to support training for childcare staff in line with the increased qualification requirements.
Pre-school services are governed by the Child Care (Pre-School Services) (No 2) Regulations 2006 as provided in the Child Care Act 1991. Inspections are carried out under the regulations by the Pre-School Inspectorate, to monitor compliance and ensure the health, safety and welfare of children and the promotion of their development. As I have outlined in recent weeks, a number of steps are being taken to improve the current inspection system, including the introduction of National Quality Standards for pre-school services later this year as part of the inspection process.
In addition, my Department is working with the Pre-School Inspectorate to develop new protocols on regulatory compliance so that there is greater clarity and consistency of approach as to how inspection reports deal with findings of serious non-compliance as opposed to minor breaches and full compliance. My Department has also reviewed the penalties currently in place for breach of regulations with a view to increasing their range and severity. I will be bringing draft legislative amendments in relation to this to Government very shortly and I expect these to be brought before the Houses during the current session. Since July of this year, existing inspection reports are being published on-line by the Pre-School Inspectorate and all new inspection reports will also be published on-line on their completion.
A registration system has been introduced on an administrative basis for new pre-school services and is expected to be placed on a statutory basis in 2014. This allows the Pre-School Inspectorate to determine whether a service is compliant in terms of suitability and service design before it will be permitted to operate. This is a further welcome development in the wider programme of work to secure and support the quality of pre school services.
