Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I would like to start by condemning yesterday's terrorist attack in London, during which a soldier was barbarically killed. Our sympathies and thoughts are with the family of the deceased soldier and with the British people at this appalling moment.

I think the Tánaiste will agree that the early years of a child's life are the most fundamental for his or her development. I refer to aspects of social education like the development of self-esteem and self-confidence. A child learns and develops more in the first three years than in the rest of his or her life. It has been reported that a forthcoming edition of RTE's "Prime Time" on standards in crèches will reveal damaging and worrying mistreatment of children. This will cause widespread alarm and concern among people across the country. It will cause significant distress to thousands of parents who send their children to child care facilities. I understand from media reports that in one crèche, a staff member has been dismissed and three others have been suspended. Staff members have been suspended in another crèche that will fall under the spotlight of this programme.

A meeting was held last Thursday night in Malahide at which parents were briefed on the findings of the "Prime Time" investigation. According to a report in today's media, a crèche owner who has viewed the undercover footage taken by RTE has described the actions of staff as "wholly inappropriate, inexcusable and unacceptable". The parents concerned are understandably furious about these developments. I understand that footage which was recorded in a room where younger children are kept shows children being shouted at, bad language being used and bottles being thrown, etc. I believe that such absolutely unacceptable and disgraceful behaviour forms the content of the programme in question. Everyone in the House will be concerned to hear such reports.

Can the Tánaiste indicate whether the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs has been made aware of these allegations and revelations? Can he confirm the nature of the HSE and Garda inquiries into these matters? Can he reassure parents across the country whose children are in child care facilities that their children are safe in such facilities? Can he confirm that there is a robust inspectorial regime with the capacity to identify this type of behaviour and mistreatment of children in crèches? Are the resources available to the HSE and the inspectorial authorities adequate to uncover and identify failings of this nature?

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