Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 May 2021
191. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department has communicated with soft play centres in relation to utilising the facilities as childcare facilities; and the regulations that would be involved in a soft play centre becoming a childcare facility. [28467/21]
View answerIn relation to early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC), the safety and protection of children remains the first priority of Government. This is done through the enforcement of Regulations which have children at the heart of their implementation.
All service providers are obliged to comply with the relevant legislation as set out in the Child Care Act 1991 as amended by the Child and Family Agency Act 2013, the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016 and the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Registration of School Age Services) Regulations 2018.
The Regulations include a requirement that all ELC and SAC services (including those childminders who are subject to regulation) register with the Tusla Early Years Inspectorate, the independent statutory regulator for the sector. It is an offence to operate an ELC or SAC service without being registered with Tusla.
The Regulations set out the statutory requirements to register and operate a service, which include minimum adult-child ratios, minimum space requirements, minimum qualification levels for employees working with children in ELC services, Garda vetting of staff, and provision of facilities for rest and play.
It is open to any prospective ELC or SAC provider who meets the regulatory requirements to apply to Tusla to register their service. An application for registration must be submitted to Tusla at least 3 months before operation of the new service commences. Further information on how to register is available at www.tusla.ie/services/preschool-services/new-providers/ (for ELC services) and
www.tusla.ie/services/family-community-support/school-age-services/ (for SAC services).
