Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is an important point regarding registration. It is in the legislation now, which means that many of the issues concerning basic standards must be dealt with before the work is even begun. I support the point about public health nurses, the experience they have with regard to child development and their ability to consider the quality of experience for a child. Equally, I am open to other people being recruited. There is a Labour Court recommendation and there will be a process of negotiation and discussion. I am open to seeing where we can go in that regard as people with different qualifications could be used for inspections. The industrial relations process must be followed, nevertheless.

Deputy Conway raised a question that is worth focusing on when she asked how we can be sure about what is going on in child care services. How can we be sure what is going on in primary schools? We can be sure because of a range of factors and it is obviously not just inspection that brings about quality in primary school. There is a range of qualifications demanded of teachers and management, there are processes that are in place, and there is the relationship between parents and teachers and the involvement of a board of management. It is the very same with preschool, and there should be a range of factors. We are looking to ensure that each element is developed with the preschool and early years sector in mind.

We could install video cameras and we could see how things progress but it would not necessarily be best for the child. It is more about training, support and mentoring that staff get. If staff misbehave with children on any video, elements such as recruitment, qualification, supervision and management come into play. We must address those areas if we are to be sure about the quality of care that a child is getting. The issue is multifaceted and not simply about inspection, so it would be wrong to think that dealing with the inspection area will resolve the kinds of issue portrayed on the "Prime Time" programme. Although it will not do so, it is still a key factor. A budget for recruitment of inspectors and development of that group is very important, and the process is under way. There is also development in other areas.

I will ask Ms McLoughlin to comment on a number of other themes regarding qualifications, training and mentoring.