Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 November 2022
87. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on his Department's plans for an agency which will drive forward the development of the childcare sector. [56603/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 29th March this year, Government accepted the findings of the independent Review of the Early Learning and Childcare Operating Model that a dedicated State agency is the optimal operating model for the sector for the years ahead. This aligns with the commitment in the Programme for Government to establish an agency to assist in the expansion of high-quality early learning and childcare, spearheading leadership, best practice and innovation, and professional development in community and private settings.
A dedicated State agency will assist in the development of a more streamlined structure to better support the delivery of ELC and SAC, and will facilitate my Department in implementing and progressing the significant reform agenda envisaged under First 5, the Whole of Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families.
Significant progress has been made in advancing this ambitious and transformative reform programme. My Department has commenced a comprehensive phase of analysis, planning, consultation, and engagement with sectoral stakeholders, to determine how the recommendation arising from the Review can best be implemented.
This phase will include a detailed design of a new operating model, an examination of all legal requirements, transition and continuity planning, risk management, and a comprehensive evidence-based cost projection for the establishment and annual running costs of a new State agency. This work will culminate in a full agency design and implementation plan which will be presented to Government for approval.
This work will be carried out under the guidance of a Programme Board comprising inter-departmental representatives and external experts in the fields of early learning and childcare, public sector governance, and major organisational reform projects. I will be announcing details of the membership of the Programme Board shortly.
I look forward to bringing a further report to Government following the completion of this phase of what is a significant and transformative reform programme.
