Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 July 2014
833. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he has received the Health Service Executive review of preschool inspection reports which commenced following a broadcast (details supplied) in an effort to identify patterns of non-compliance among service providers; if he has received the report; his views on same; when it will be available for publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31602/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe new Child and Family Agency, which now has responsibility for the Early Years Inspectorate, has forwarded two reports to my Department based on an analysis of preschool inspections carried out by the Inspectorate over a period of 17 months. The first report examines the process of preschool inspections and the second report considers the quality of all aspects of preschool provision. These Reports will be considered by my Department and it is expected that the Child and Family Agency will be in a position to the publish the Reports in autumn this year.
The Reports, which will identify for providers areas of concern as well as examples of good practice, will be the basis for further discussion and debate and are an important element of the inspection reform programme which is currently underway as part of the comprehensive Early Years Quality Agenda that sets out to assure higher standards in preschool services.
Legislation to strengthen the current inspection regime and underpin the Early Years Quality Agenda has been enacted. Regulations to give effect to the legislative changes are expected to be published shortly. New National Standards for preschool services will also be published shortly and will provide the basis against which services will be inspected and reported on. Services will be supported in working towards higher standards of quality based on clearer criteria for measuring compliance levels.
