Vol. 483 No. 2
57 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health and Children the current situation regarding the implementation of Part VII of the Child Care Act, 1991, which provides for the introduction of regulations governing safety and health standards in pre-school services. [19802/97]
The Child Care (Pre-School Services) Regulations, 1996, which were introduced under Part VII of the Child Care Act, 1991, came into operation on 31 December 1996. The regulations apply to pre-schools, playgroups, day nurseries, cre ches, some childminders and other similar services which cater for children under six years of age.
The purpose of the regulations is to build on the existing good standards in our pre-school services and gradually improve standards throughout the sector to secure the health, safety and welfare of pre-school children and to promote the development of children attending pre-school services.
Pre-schools are subject to inspection by the health boards to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Child Care Act and the regulations. Where a pre-school provider and-or her premises does not meet these requirements, details of the deficiencies will be outlined in writing and she will be given a specific period of time within which to make specific improvements (provided such a delay would not adversely affect the welfare of the children). A further inspection will be made after that date.
One of the terms of reference of the Expert Working Group on Childcare which was established under Partnership 2000 was to consider the implementation of Part VII of the Child Care Act. In this regard a working group to monitor the implementation of Part VII of the Act and to deal with any difficulties which might arise was recently established in my Department.
It is my intention that the operation of the regulations will be reviewed after three years, with a view to effecting any changes considered necessary at that stage.
