Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 November 2020
99. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress made by his Department to give legislative effect to the children and family support section of the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33986/20]
View answerThe children and family support section of the Programme for Government contains a range of commitments which I will continue to progress. The majority of these will not require legislation in order to be implemented. In relation to those that will require a legislative measure, the position is as follows.
My Department has commenced preliminary legislative work in respect of preparing the Heads of a Bill to provide for amendments to the Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019. The proposed legislative amendments will make provision for an additional period of parental leave and benefit in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government 2020.
Further work will be required to amend and extend existing legislation in relation to the regulation of the Early Years Sector in order to implement some Programme for Government Commitments. This includes the extension of regulation to non-relative childminders and the streamlining of regulatory requirements for early years services while continuing to improve quality. This work is complex and may take time to address. In relation to accelerating access to subsidies for non-relative childminders, a report is due to be published by year end.
