Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Deputy Martin that what was shown in the "Prime Time" programme was shocking and hard to watch. It is completely unacceptable. It is every parent's worse nightmare that the child care facility to which they entrust their children may not be treating those children appropriately. It must be pointed out there are many very good child care service and facilities in this country which operate well. It is clear, however, that some of the operators have let the children and their parents down, particularly so in circumstances where parents are paying a hell of a lot of money to these facilities to mind their children.

I spoke with the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, this morning. We agree this issue must be addressed with urgency and are determined it will be resolved. In the first instance, the crèche facilities that were the subject of the television programme are now the subject of both HSE and Garda investigations. A number of things must, and will be, done quickly. First, there will be a facility whereby the inspection reports that are made on child care facilities will be published online so that parents can see for the reports for themselves. Second, Deputy Martin asked about the areas where currently there are no inspectors. The intention is that the inspection regime will be managed on a national basis and the Minister has asked Gordon Jeyes to look at ways in which that can be done so that all areas of the country can be inspected properly. A system of registration will be introduced to replace the existing system of notification and this will be done by the child and family support agency. The intention is for that system to be in place within a reasonably short time. A report will be done on the for-profit child care sector and analysis will be made on all inspection reports presented to date to establish what the patterns are and what needs to be done. The issue of qualifications for child care workers is being examined. It is the Minister's view that FETAC level 5 is probably too low and needs to be increase.

I appreciate the suggestions Deputy Martin has made. He stated this is an issue we need to resolve and that we must work together to do so.

The issue of the inspection regime is being addressed immediately to ensure an inspection regime is in place across the country. In the case of crèches which are not complying with the required standards, the funding can and, I believe, should be cut. In respect of the crèches which are subject to investigation, I hope the investigations are concluded quickly and that the necessary action is taken as a result. I agree that CCTV should be used in crèche facilities. The wider issue of child care provision will be addressed under the registration regime that will be introduced.

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