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

With regard to some of the responses I have received, particularly to Question No. 14, I pose the question on amalgamating the current inspection services into a single and standardised inspection service. The current situation in relation to preschool and early years services is that there is a multiplicity of inspections and inspection regimes in operation - Tusla, the Department of Education and Skills and Better Start. The Minister indicated in his reply that they feed in to a future review of our regulatory system, as he described it. However, he went on to say that it was far too early to decide whether to move to a single model of inspection. I am fairly certain that providers across the country would very much favour the introduction of a streamlined single inspection approach that would meet all needs in the various areas - Tusla, the Department of Education and Skills, etc. It is not the case that all of these agencies need to have independent inspection controls; it is that we could have a single inspection process that feeds back to all the respective Departments and agencies, as the case may be. I do not believe it is too early to decide on that. I would take the view that there is ample evidence and long-established information to support the development of the single inspection process across the board. I ask the Minister to comment on that.

Regarding the Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures policy, I noted that in the Minister's reply he said the development of an implementation plan was nearing completion. I do not know if this is an error in the text or otherwise, but it goes on to say it will outline a three-year schedule of actions associated with 163 commitments for the period 2014-2016. I notice that Mr. Lynch is indicating something. I thought it was an error. Heaven forbid they might get it finished before the end of 2016. It would be very helpful. I would like the accurate information in the response I have received, please. Maybe that could be clarified in reply to my question.

I am running out of time. I am down at the bottom of the heap now, but I know the Chairman is very, very accommodating.