Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 September 2021
433. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if private crèches are required to register with and be inspected by Tusla prior to opening; the circumstances in which Tusla will undertake an inspection of a private crèche; his plans to introduce legislation to enforce annual inspections of all private crèches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45018/21]
View answerIn line with the provisions of the Child Care Act, 1991 (as amended by Part 12 of the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013), it is a legal requirement for those proposing to operate an early years service to make an application for registration with Tusla at least three months before it is intended to commence operation. Tusla, through its Early Years Inspectorate, is the independent statutory regulator of early years services in Ireland, with the responsibility for regulating and inspecting these registered services to ensure compliance with the requirements of the legislation. The purpose of inspection is to ensure the health, safety and welfare of children, and the promotion of their development, as well as to ensure compliance with the relevant statutory requirements by registered service providers operating early years services.
Officials in my Department have been in contact with colleagues in Tusla, who have provided the following information in relation to their inspection programme:
Early years service inspections take place under an inspection programme carried out by the Early Years Inspectorate, with each service receiving at least one inspection in a three-year registration cycle. Many services, however, are inspected more frequently, with services prioritised based on the size and type of service, the age-profile of the children attending, and the history of regulatory compliance. The frequency of inspections is increased where the Inspectorate may have concerns regarding a specific service, necessitating greater oversight, such as a persistent and consistent history of regulatory non-compliance. The Inspectorate may also carry out immediate or multiple inspections of services as necessary on receipt of feedback or concerns, or where a service has been escalated for regulatory enforcement action. Likewise, where the Inspectorate is satisfied that a service has strong internal control mechanisms and can evidence compliance with regulation, then the inspection frequency may be reduced.
In addition to this programme, the Inspectorate also carries out a separate programme of Fit for Purpose Inspections. Fit for Purpose Inspections take place prior to opening the service as part of the assessment of applications to register a new early years service, or where an existing registered provider applies to make a change to their current registration status, such as a change of service provision, a change in the number of children catered for, or change of address. The purpose of these Fit for Purpose Inspections is to determine the suitability of the premises and the proposed service provision in line with the relevant statutory requirements.
Completed inspection reports are available on the Tusla website at www.tusla.ie/services/preschool-services/creche-inspection-reports/
