Frances Fitzgerald
Ceist:275 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of inspections carried out in each health board area under the child care regulations 1999-2000; and the outcome in each area. [22894/00]
Written Answers. - Child Care Services.
Under the Child Care (Pre-School Services) Regulations, 1996, which give effect to the provisions of part VII of the Child Care Act, 1991, pre-school providers are obliged to notify their local health board that they are carrying on, or proposing to carry on, a pre-school service. On receipt of notification the health board will provide relevant information to the applicant and arrange for an inspection to be carried out by an authorised person. Based on the most up to date information available from the health boards the numbers of inspections carried out in 1999 and 2000 are as follows:
|
Health Board |
1999 |
2000 |
|
ERHA |
* |
* |
|
MHB |
149 |
102 |
|
NEHB |
191 |
164 |
|
NWHB |
163 |
164 |
|
MWHB |
79 |
160 |
|
SEHB |
* |
* |
|
SHB |
254 |
269 |
|
WHB |
248 |
169 |
*Information from the Eastern Regional Health Authority and South-Eastern Health Board is not yet to hand. It will be forwarded to the Deputy when available.
The number of inspections carried out include first, second and third annual inspections as appropriate.
Article 32 (1) of the regulations requires health boards to furnish a report in writing to the person carrying on the pre-school service of the outcome of an inspection, following an inspection by an authorities person. I understand from the health boards that where appropriate they confirm to pre-school providers – either by letter or as part of the inspection report – that their facility was found to be in compliance with the regulations.
All deficiencies identified during an inspection are detailed in the inspection report and forwarded to the pre-school provider. The provider is given a timefame to reply to the report, outlining what measures are to be put in place to deal with the deficiencies. The health board and the providers work in a co-operative manner to make specific improvements in a planned way provided that any delay would not adversely affect the welfare of children. If the deficiencies, noted during inspection, are of a serious nature and the team feel that there is a potential risk to the safety of the children, the provider is so informed and a follow-up inspection will be carried out within a shorter period of time to ensure compliance with the recommendations of the inspection team.
The type of deficiencies found during inspections include: a requirement to reduce places mainly related to the availability of adequate space per child in the premises and-or the requirement to have a sufficient number of competent adults supervising the pre-school children in the service at all times; inadequately equipped first aid box – a list of suggested contents is forwarded to the provider, where necessary; incomplete record keeping in respect of the register of children, details of staff, fire safety and maintenance records etc; inadequate sanitary accommodation for adults and children-water not thermostatically controlled; inadequate storage of toxic materials; inadequate rest and outdoor play facilities; inadequate fire safety equipment; and a second adult not being present on the premises in sessional services.
Health boards offer an advice and support service to pre-school providers who are proposing to commence a new pre-school service, in order to outline to them the requirement for a pre-school service.
In addition, health boards have indicated that they provide information and advice in relation to accessing funding and-or other supports which may be useful to providers in addressing the recommendations of the inspection report. The boards have also indicated that on their second and third annual inspections pre-school providers are complying with the majority of the requirements of the regulations.