Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Any incident of a lack of compliance here must be followed up rigorously and changes must be seen to be implemented to the highest standard. I accept Deputy Adams's comment. I am aware of Deputy Ó Caoláin's interest and co-operation in this matter over the years. This affects everybody in the country and we need to get it right.

I share Deputy Adams's view. Regulation is meaningless unless it can be implemented and seen to be implemented. This must not be seen as a box-ticking exercise. Nor is it politics, nor should it be about economics. It is about our children. Parents make the choice where there is a preschool year and the money follows the child, but the choice is made by the parents. Parents to whom I speak have taken their children from one facility to another depending on their particular circumstances. What we need is a far more comprehensive regime of inspection here. The brand image of the child care profession must be seen to be of the highest standard.

What has happened in the past period includes, not only the appointment of the Minister to have political focus as the head of a Department but the Children First guidelines on which heads of the Bill will come back to Government shortly, the referendum which was passed, and the child and family support agency which, as I stated in response to Deputy Martin, is not to be seen as a new agency with inferior standards. This is an opportunity to break that culture and improve the brand image with proper inspections focused on the quality of what the children get in these centres. The National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 is part of that. There are 25 additional staff being recruited. The Minister will respond when she has details from the HSE as to when that training will be completed. Plans are also advanced to require registration for all child care providers because one wants to put this on a national basis with a national standard. Whether they are in Belmullet or in Baltinglass, up in Baltray or down in Ballinskelligs, the standards must be the same. Whether they are for profit or not for profit, this is about children and we will not accept any inferior standards. We will see to it. The Minister with the political responsibility as head of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, the agencies of the HSE and any other under the legislation for which I thank the Deputies for their co-operation, will see to it that these standards will be implemented.

There will be no complacency. I welcome the fact that whereas this programme was a shocking exposé, it has confirmed that this applies in some cases. I know of the highest standards being implemented in other places, and in many cases there is online application and visibility for any parent as reports of inspections are available.

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