Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 October 2019
555. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to legal action being pursued by Tusla against a company (details supplied) based on the material gathered during a programme aired in July 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39466/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has been informed about current investigations into serious allegations within the early learning and care settings in question. In relation to this case, Tusla has assured me that all appropriate investigations are being carried out in line with procedures, within the shortest possible timeframes, and that the Department will be kept informed of further developments on an ongoing basis.
Given the risk of prejudicing legal proceedings, neither I nor Tusla, which is the independent statutory regulator of early years services, can provide any further detail in relation to an ongoing case.
As the statutory regulator, Tusla exercises its regulatory powers to respond to continuous and serious breaches of regulations within its remit while respecting fair procedures and natural justice.
There are approximately 4,500 Tusla-registered early learning and care and school-age childcare services operating in Ireland. Tusla has given assurances that there is a high level of compliance with regulations across the country, as can be seen in the inspection reports Tusla publishes each year. Tusla carried out some 2,513 inspections in 2018.
