I wish to share time with Senator Manning.
I welcome the Minister of State who is probably aware that a number of pre-school child care regulations were introduced approximately three years ago. These were noteworthy and well thought out and, in an ideal world, they would prove suitable in terms of the care of children in pre-school facilities, crèches, etc. I know the Minister of State has a personal interest in this area and she will be aware that the reality of the situation vis-à-vis the regulations is different. It is on that basis I am seeking to ensure that a common sense approach is taken, particularly in relation to the application of the regulations. When considering this matter recently I came to the conclusion that if the city fire officer was to be totally vigilant a number of our courts would not be in operation, particularly at call-over time when they are overcrowded and constitute a fire hazard.
Various people, friends and others, who are involved in child care provision in the city centre and in my constituency have contacted me about the way the regulations operate at present. In my view, the bottom line should be the welfare of children. We should not be overly concerned about the square footage of space available or about one person being delegated to mind three babies. I accept that a qualified person might be able to care for four or five children but there are some people whom I would not trust with one baby never mind two or three. In that context, a common sense approach must be adopted in relation to adherence to the regulations.
We must accommodate people who have operated child care facilities for many years and who have a tremendous track record. If they have not complied with certain regulations by a particular date, some of these people will be forced to close their facilities. We must use common sense, particularly in view of the fact that people are obliged to carry out renovations, put in place new facilities, employ additional staff, care for various categories of children, namely, those aged less than 12 months and toddlers and ensure that there is an adequate child to carer ratio.
Problems have arisen because people have been obliged to carry out renovations to their facilities. In discussing this matter with the health board, I urge the Minister to request that a common sense approach be adopted. Quite a number of the crèches to which I refer have been in operation for many years and the people who attended them and who have now grown up can provide testimony of the good care they received.
A number of parents in certain areas have been discommoded because the health board has moved in and informed the owner of a facility to either close down or carry out a long list of renovations, many of which often prove uneconomic or impractical to do within the time allowed. In last Sunday's The Sunday Business Post, Emily O'Reilly mentioned some of these aspects. She also highlighted the fact that there have been complaints involving more serious matters than whether children have the requisite amount of space provided for by the regulations. I am sure the Minister of State and her officials have seen this article and it is important that she responds to it. It seems that, on the one hand, we are getting worked up about the fact that there are six children in a room which is six inches less in length than allowed for by the regulations, or that there are ten toddlers in a room when there should be only nine. Most of the people who run crèches are dedicated, hard working and try to employ high quality staff, and it is important that there is a balance in dealing with this issue.
The regulations, which have only recently been introduced, deal with a wide range of issues such as the development of children, notice to be given by persons carrying on pre-school services, registration, heating, ventilation, lighting and so on. However, the welfare of children should be paramount. Prescribing issues such as square footage, the size of hand basins and so on can be dealt with, but I am more concerned that people are allowed to communicate with health boards and that the boards respond positively and provide a reasonable length of time in which to carry out necessary improvements. I hope the Minister of State will also respond to the allegations which are far more serious, if found to be true.