Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister, Mr. Gordon Jeyes and the other officials. What we witnessed on the breach of trust programme was hugely distressing for everyone who watched it. We can only image how distressing it must have been for the children directly affected and for their parents to see this all over again on their screens, assuming they were already apprised of the detail of it. I noted last week, it is no surprise to me, in the course of the Dáil recess that in meeting with people who are front line child care providers that it was hugely distressing for that greater number of people who are involved in preschool provision and who are adhering to the highest standards and providing proper care for children. One has to acknowledge that. However, I would do the issue no service if I failed to also say that breaches of regulations are widespread. We have to face up to that because it needs to be on the basis that there are breaches of regulations occurring with a regularity that is beyond acceptance. That needs to be confronted. The most important point is to recognise the terrible consequences for children not only in terms of the direct experience but in preparing children for later life. We have all spoken in the committee in the past about the formative years which have such an impact as young people develop, grow up and become young adults. The echoes continue throughout lifetime.

Many points have been made in the Minister's contribution and that of Mr. Jeyes. I noted that she mentioned the child and family agency legislation which has been long promised. I am not taking out a bata mór, a big stick. The legislation has been long promised and some of the expectation has been created. Given her own commentary and that of Mr. Jeyes earlier, there was an earlier expectation of this legislation. That is not to pretend ignorance of the scale of what is being undertaken but I am reflecting the growing frustration outside by all across the sector. There is huge interest in seeing the child and family agency established. We need to see the legislation. The Minister said it is imminent. I hope so. That would be my certain wish. Both the Minister and Mr. Jeyes made the point that all new reports and all new inspection reports will be put online but when is this likely to show? The Minister mentioned 1 July but how long will it take before reports are available online for all preschool facilities? It takes effect as of 1 July.

When will parents get a comprehensive opportunity to review the reports? Clearly, it will not be 1 July. What date are we talking about in real terms?

On 29 May as many as 11 Deputies recommended sanctions for a Topical Issues debate. It was also addressed during Leaders' Questions in the Dáil earlier that day. All political views are represented on the committee and all members share the view that sanctions and penalties are inadequate. Of course we must understand that there is a difference between breaches and they range from minor ones to the serious breaches presented in the RTE programme. Recently I read a description that likened breaches to ranging from noting a cobweb to seeing abuse of a child. Let us be clear, we are talking about the latter here. I echo the views expressed by Members in the House that we need serious sanctions. The establishments identified were, in the main, private for-profit entities. There is only one language that they will understand. In terms of bringing all such facilities up to the required standard and bringing an end to cutting corners and taking shortcuts, financial sanctions are the only ones that will speak loud enough.

The Minister mentioned the preschool quality agenda and identified eight key areas of actions which she said need to be considered. I have great respect for her but she is the Minister. Each of the eight key areas are what may be termed "no-brainers" and do not need to be considered for an extra minute. They need to happen. The time for consideration and for further reviews is long past. The Minister also stated that she will undertake a review of the penalties currently in place. Let us get to the point where there are no more reviews and no more need for consideration. The eight points that she mooted all need to be done and introduced as quickly as possible.

We need immediate action to ensure that there is no repetition of what we witnessed in the programme. The television exposéwas very welcome. We would not be addressing the issue and focusing on child care now only for what the programme makers exposed. We need more inspections. Clearly, we need more appropriately qualified inspectors. We need an upgrade in the qualification requirements for staff. It is also important that we have improved pay and conditions for staff. On the day of the Topical Issues debate, the day following the programme, I highlighted the fact that over 30 JobBridge opportunities for these positions. That is not the staffing requirement that we need to look after our children in a preschool setting.

I totally support the comments made by both Ms Irene Gunning and Ms Teresa Heeney, Early Childhood Ireland, about the provision for children with special needs. It is very important that the matter is taken seriously. The Chairman and everybody else here knows where I am coming from on these issues. We need a fundamental review of an over-dependence on the private-for-profit sector for child care provision in the State. That is the only review that I want to hear from the Minister this evening and everything else should be fast-tracked and introduced.