Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 May 2023
144. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department will consider changes to the school-age childcare staff-to-pupil ratio to allow the provider to apply the ratio based on age groups similar to the creche model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26547/23]
View answerSchool age childcare (SAC) services are required to operate within regulatory minimum adult-to-child ratios as set out in the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Registration of School Age Services) Regulations 2018. The ratio is the minimum number of adults required to supervise, care for and work directly with the children in the service.
The introduction of SAC Regulations in 2018 was an important step in ensuring oversight and quality assurance of school-age childcare services which is in the best interests of the children and families who use these services.
In setting regulatory requirements, the primary consideration must be children’s health, safety and well-being, and these were the primary factors considered when setting a minimum 1:12 adult-to-child ratio in the Regulations for school-age childcare. The 1:12 ratio was agreed following consultation with an expert group on school-age childcare standards, which included a range of sector representatives among its members.
The adult : child ratios for Early Learning and Care (ELC) services are set out in Schedule 6 of the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016. Ratios for ELC services are categorised by age and service-type from 1:3 for children aged 0-1 in full day care up to 1:11 for children aged 2 to 6 in sessional ELC services.
There are no plans at present to revise the minimum adult : child ratio for SAC services.
