Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Given that we are taking on new inspectors and looking at the qualifications of service providers, would the Minister consider that it is an appropriate time to examine the qualifications of those carrying out the inspections?

Will the Minister take on board the recommendations from her expert advisory group on early years, the workforce development plan and an OECD report on child care concerning inspectors' qualifications?

The Minister said the new registration fee will help to fund additional inspections. Will she confirm whether this new fee is an additional one for child care providers or will it replace the existing fee for registered child care providers?

The Minister said she hopes that preschool and early childhood settings will be inspected every 18 months. We are now bringing forward the necessary legislation on Committee Stage. Would it not be prudent and wise to insert in that legislation a provision to inspect such establishments every 18 months at a minimum, if the Minister so desires? At the moment, the legislation refers to inspections happening "periodically", which could lead to a longer timeframe for inspections.

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