Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There is a nominal fee at present. This is a registration fee in accordance with the legislation we are debating concerning the child and family agency. That will be a new fee, although the amount has yet to be agreed. Account will be taken of the varying types of services, including private and community ones. The details of that are being worked out and I will liaise with the Deputy. I am sure it will come up for discussion on Committee Stage of the legislation next week.

We are fortunate that so many people have undertaken further qualifications in early year services. There is a lot of expertise but, to date, there has not been a career path for such people. The new mentoring scheme, which was announced in the budget, will begin to be implemented next year and will give scope for career advancement.

The question of inspections should be examined and we could consider people with a wider range of expertise in that regard. It is clear we are at a transition point with the new agency, so we need to allow that transition to go ahead. The issue the Deputy has raised is an important one, in that we can bring in people with experience of the child care sector.

Environmental health officers and public health nurses are working very well, given the challenges they are facing in the sector. That is an issue that can be discussed in due course.

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