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

Section 58 deals with the supervision of early years services and provides for the agency inspecting early years services from time to time. The use of the phrase "from time to time" is measured and deliberate. It allows for inspections as often as is required, be it once every three years, once a year or several times in one year. The substitution of the phrase "from time to time" with "annually" would make the inspection regime more rigid. It would allow for one annual visit to an early years service provider. In effect, it could negate the registration process as the agency would not legally be in a position to expect adherence to any condition that might be imposed in accordance with the registration regime, other than on a 12 month basis.

While I accept that the principle of the amendment is to allow for an inspection on a yearly basis, I am advised that the provision, as it stands, allows for this and for more frequent inspections should that be required. The amendment would be too rigid. The way the Bill is phrased allows for several visits in a year rather than simply prescribing one annual visit. We have the experience from the inspections that where inspectors find non-compliance with conditions, they frequently return within a few weeks or months. Several inspections can be carried out to ensure compliance with the regulation. The phrase "from time to time" is measured and deliberate and it is an attempt to ensure those visits can take place, as opposed to a more rigid prescription on the frequency of inspections.

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