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Childcare Services Inspections

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 October 2019

Tuesday, 22 October 2019

Ceisteanna (52)

Anne Rabbitte

Ceist:

52. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on whether it is satisfactory that parents are not informed when a crèche is placed at the critical level by Tusla; and her further views on whether it should be addressed. [43572/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí ó Béal (6 píosaí cainte)

I will try to keep the flow going.

I have never been accused before of stopping the flow.

I know and I am not saying the Ceann Comhairle did.

Does the Minister believe it is satisfactory that parents are not informed when a crèche is placed at critical level by Tusla? Does she believe this should be addressed? Is she confident that her Department and herself are fully aware of crèches that are deemed high or critical risk? I seek reassurance for parents.

Where Tusla has evidence of a serious risk to children, Tusla's early years inspectorate brings this to the attention of social work services. This is a requirement under the Children First Act 2015 and in such instances parents are informed. As the independent statutory regulator, Tusla's early years inspectorate employs a risk-rating system for all early years services. This system informs inspection scheduling and levels of oversight and scrutiny of a service. A critical status on Tusla's risk-rating system implies a high and intensive level of scrutiny by Tusla's national review and enforcement panel. It does not imply that children attending these services are at risk, or that they should be removed from the service.

I understand that having limited information available with regard to a service's current status may be a cause of frustration and concern for parents. However, I share Tusla's concern about the implications for parents, children and services, including causing undue worry among parents, if Tusla were to inform parents whenever a service is categorised as critical. The reasons for this categorisation can be varied and do not necessarily imply a child is at risk. Tusla's national review and enforcement panel meets approximately every two weeks, and services are de-escalated whenever concerns are addressed.

The number of services at critical status changes continuously as the inspection process proceeds and as services react to Tusla's concerns. For example, of the 37 services described as critical at the Joint Committee on Children and Youth Affairs on 31 July last, 18 had been de-escalated by 1 October and their cases closed.

While parents have a legitimate interest in knowing the findings of inspections, a service's registration status and the outcomes of legal proceedings, there is also a need to give service providers the right to correct potential inaccuracies in inspection reports prior to publication. Tusla publishes inspection reports as soon as due process has been followed.

I thank the Minister for her response. I am glad she drew on the hearings of the joint committee last July regarding the 37 crèches. Since then, I have received responses to parliamentary questions whereby it appears 595 crèches are on a risk rating register at present. The Minister is correct that this can be for a number of reasons but, at the same time, the concern is that parents are still being kept in the dark. Regardless of the rating, and I concur with her and Tusla that we do not need to alarm parents, parents have a right to be informed when a service is deemed high or critical risk. Normally when a crèche is deemed high or critical risk, it is because of a regulation relating to fire, overcrowding or ratios. Are the Minister and the Department confident with regard to monitoring risk ratings in Tulsa and the inspectorate regime? Are they happy with how it is being run?

I can answer "Yes" to that question; it is very straightforward. As I have identified, a panel meets every couple of weeks to take a look at the various issues that arise in terms of those listed as critical risk. It is also important to note that we are also examining how parents might be given more information at an earlier stage where possible. In addition, I encourage parents to ask their service providers about inspections and any concerns they may have. I encourage service providers to share information with parents about their latest inspection visits, even if it is not yet published. I also encourage parents to speak to their local childcare committees when considering options and choosing service providers. In addition, the Deputy will be aware that I have significantly increased the number of staff in the Tusla inspectorate in recent years to enable improvements in the registration process. I am examining the possibility of new regulations and strengthening powers. We are encouraging service providers and parents to speak directly to each other as well as providing resources for more staff in Tusla.

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