Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will start with Deputy O'Callaghan. I happen to agree with his point. I think the regulations that govern the provision of childcare facilities, particularly the ratio of homes to childcare facilities, go back to about 2001. Coincidentally, while the committee was sitting yesterday, I had a couple of meetings with regard to what we are going to do in that space. We are carrying out a review of those early childcare providers. They are guidelines going back to 2001.

I think all of us in roles as TDs have had prospective providers in contact with us about difficulties. I refer to some instances in this regard, but not in all because many of them are filled. As the Deputy will know, they are not all left empty and nothing like it. There can be a difficulty with viability for some because of their size. It is better to have a balance, then, between the smaller-run preschool facilities versus the much larger version. I refer as well to the desire of parents and families concerning where these facilities will be and when they will be open. We are going to embark on a review of this matter. Some of the preliminary work in this regard is being done.

Any updating of the situation would flow through regulations. There is nothing additional here. I will check if there are any other sections within the Bill that may be relevant, but there is no prescriptive change to the current regulations that are in this Bill and that pertain to this aspect. This section refers to ancillary services that pertain to childcare or the ratio in this regard. This, however, is something I am looking at and reviewing the associated guidelines. We will also have a public consultation around this matter as well.

There are different views in this regard. For argument's sake, and I will not dwell on this point, it might be helpful if we were to look at what is done in Britain versus here in relation to providing a shell of a childcare facility, building it out and then letting someone fit that out. I have come across instances where the childcare facility may be left towards the end. All the plant and equipment is removed from the site and then everything has to come back in to build that facility. We are, basically, embarking on a review of those guidelines and we will engage in a public consultation. I am certain this committee and perhaps the other relevant impacted committees that have an interest in this area, as well as the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, will be involved.

If I can, I will answer the questions posed by Deputy Ó Broin quickly.