Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Child and Family Agency and the Minister for the presentations. I want to extend some of the points made. When we look back on what was uncovered in the "A Breach of Trust" programme, my big question is how, even with the major changes that are welcome and not before time, a ramped up inspection regime can ensure it is not happening somewhere else. It is a major concern. We have vacant inspector posts and parts of the country are not being inspected. Even if an inspector is regularly calling to monitor and audit, we saw that paperwork on lunches, tea and how many times nappies were changed was completed at 8.30 a.m. The major question is about management. The Minister has made money available in respect of FETAC in terms of upskilling for child care professionals. What support or training has been offered to management? There were breaches of management, with staff not being supported and procedures not being followed. The only person who pays at the end of it is the child. Children were appallingly treated in the settings revealed.

A number of us have been contacted by the Association of Childhood Professionals. What is the new qualification standard for staff? There is still ambiguity. The Minister referred to FETAC level 5 as the minimum required standard.

Senator van Turnhout also referred to non-contact hours or non-contact time. There is political discussion about policy making and extending the free preschool year for another year. If we got the money, we should have a well resourced one-year programme, where work is planned and reflected on by the workers to ensure a quality service. As it stands, by only paying professionals for contact hours none of the planning can be done in an adequate way. If we are to follow a curriculum such as HighScope, which involves engaging with children on their interests, reflect on it and change their surroundings on a daily or weekly basis to plan and implement the work, how can this happen if they are not being paid for non-contact hours?

Aistear extends from preschool up to junior infants and senior infants. It is a bridging programme and it is really good that there is continuity and consistency. Who is inspecting after-school care services? Children of four and five years of age in junior infants are availing of after-care services. There is only a couple of weeks in the difference between preschool and after-school care and no one is regulating the sector. I do not want to be here in six months time with another "A Breach of Trust" programme having examined after-school services. The Aistear programme goes from the preschool to the primary school level but after-school care seems to be an afterthought. I would like to know more about what we are doing.