Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Senator Ruane sent her apologies and Deputy Whitmore is substituting for Deputy Cairns.

I remind members who are participating remotely to keep their devices on mute until invited to speak. When speaking, I ask members, where possible, to have their cameras switched on and to be mindful that we are in public session.

I also remind members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of the place that Parliament has chosen to sit, namely, Leinster House or the convention centre, in order to participate in public meetings. I will not permit a member to participate where he or she is not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, any member who attempts to participate from outside the precincts will be refused.

We are meeting today to consider the National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028. We have had one meeting already on the topic. I welcome all our witnesses. They are all joining us virtually through Microsoft Teams. The following witnesses will address the committee: Dr. Anne-Marie Brooks, assistant secretary general, and Mr. Toby Wolfe, principal officer, Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; and Mr. Bernard Gloster, chief executive officer, Ms Caroline Cullen, interim director of quality assurance, and Ms Fiona McDonnell, national service director, children’s services regulation, Tusla.

The purpose of this meeting is to engage with all the witnesses on the national action plan for childminding. The aim of the action plan is to provide greater recognition for childminding and to support childminders in their work of providing high quality early learning and care and school-aged childcare, thus supporting child development and learning outcomes, and helping families. It is envisaged the action plan will involve change and significant benefits for childminders, children and the families using their services. Members of the committee wish to hear the opinions of stakeholders working in the industry regarding the provisions of the action plan.

Before I invite witnesses to deliver their opening statements, I must advise them about parliamentary privilege when addressing a parliamentary committee. As all the witnesses are appearing before the committee virtually, I need to point out that there is uncertainty as to whether parliamentary privilege will apply to their evidence if given from a location outside of the parliamentary precincts of Leinster House. Therefore, if witnesses are directed to cease giving evidence relating to a particular matter, it is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

I will call on the witnesses in the following order to deliver their opening statements. We will start with Dr. Anne-Marie Brooks followed by Mr. Bernard Gloster. We will then have a questions and answers session with members. The speaking rota was circulated to members in advance of the meeting. I advise witnesses that each member has an individual five-minute slot for their questions and that also includes their answers. They should bear that in mind when addressing any questions. I will hand over to Dr. Anne-Marie Brooks to deliver her opening statement.