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

In line with this work, as members will be aware, we are working on a comprehensive preschool quality agenda; those are very important words. We have identified eight key areas of action, which need to be considered and addressed as a matter of urgency. Work has been ongoing on these areas, namely, publishing inspection reports online as soon as possible; strengthening the national inspection system; introducing new protocols on regulatory compliance and enforcement; increasing and widening the sanctions which can be taken for non-compliance; increasing the qualification requirements for all staff in pre-school services; introducing a registration system - we have had a notification system up to now; implementing the new national preschool standards; and supporting implementation of the Síolta framework and Aistear curriculum. Many speak about Síolta and Aistear, which were developed in 2006.

Publishing inspection reports online as soon as possible is an essential step in ensuring high standards and accountability. From 1 July, all new inspection reports, which are quality-assured once issued to the providers, will be published online. Much work has been done, led by Mr. Gordon Jeyes and his team, to develop a new national inspection system, including standardising operating procedures. It has not been a national system and I am sure Mr. Jeyes will address that. There are currently 44 - 37.8 whole-time equivalent - preschool inspectors operating nationally, with an average caseload of 126 services per inspector, although the caseload of the preschool inspectors varies across regions. There are also some vacancies. If all services are to be inspected annually, this would mean that each inspector should have a consistent caseload of 100 services or less. The HSE is reviewing the regional spread of resources, including to determine whether additional resources or redeployment of existing inspectors is required, and I am engaging with my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, on the additional resource implications.

On introducing new protocols on regulatory compliance and enforcement, there is a need for greater clarity and consistency of approach as to how inspection reports record serious non-compliance and what happens as a result. For that reason I have directed that a new and different approach will be taken to enforcement, prosecution, closure and suspension or termination of State funding. New protocols between the Department and the HSE and, as appropriate, with Pobal, will mean a more graduated approach, differentiating between very serious, serious and minor breaches and providing for proportionate responses. With respect to the ECCE scheme, the free preschool year, payments to providers have been suspended on a number of occasions. There must be a substantial deterrent for non-compliance. I am reviewing the penalties in place for a breach of the preschool regulations under the Child Care Act so as to increase the range and severity of the existing penalties including the actions which can be taken by inspectors without recourse to court prosecution.

Increasing the qualifications is an issue I have addressed on a number of occasions.

I have announced that the minimum requirement of FETAC level 5 for preschool leaders within the preschool year will be increased to FETAC level 6 and that preschool assistants, and all other staff caring for children in all preschool services, should be subject to a minimum requirement of FETAC level 5, with an effective date of September 2015 for existing services and September 2014 for new services. I am examining measures to support training in line with the increased qualification requirements. Clearly, training is a big issue for the sector and it needs to be supported in terms of gaining those qualifications and examining a mentoring system that has proved very successful in other jurisdictions.

With regard to the registration system, child careproviders are only required to notify the HSE at least 28 days before they open at present. I can confirm that a new registration system, that has been examined by the HSE and my Department, will be introduced by the HSE in September. Persons wishing to open a preschool service will be required to register with the HSE and be deemed compliant and suitable for purpose before they will be permitted to operate. Registration will be extended to existing providers as they renew contracts.

Later this year I will launch a suite of new national preschool standards, including the day care standards and standards for sessional care and child minding that are being finalised. Much work has gone into the preparation of those standards during the past year. They will replace all current guidelines. They will be implemented and inspected in line with the new registration system and improved inspection systems.

As I have mentioned already, I want to see the implementation of the Síolta framework and Aistear curriculum. I am examining options to develop a mentoring system for our preschool sector to support the implementation of them both. The system has proved very successful in the North of Ireland. At a meeting of international experts in Dublin three weeks ago, it was clear that the mentoring system works in the preschool sector. We should support it now. Some pilot work has been done. About 150 services implemented a pilot mentoring programme around the country in recent years that now needs to be extended.

In conclusion, my preschool quality agenda and measures to be considered in the context of Budget 2014 are an essential building block and first step in a multiannual approach towards the future extension of universal preschool provision. Let me stress the multiannual aspect of the work. Like the other child protection reforms that are under way in my Department, let us be clear as a committee charged with examining the issue, that a sustained effort is required for a significant period ahead. The work will not be done overnight. I have no doubt that members of the committee know that what was broadcast two weeks ago is not the norm. The programme makers made clear that they found instances of excellent care, even in some of the crèches about which complaints had been made. Our challenge is to make sure that the norm in every service is the high quality, which is what we all want to see, and does the best for the young children who are in the care of preschool services. We want to make that excellent care the cultural norm across every service.