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

Inspections are being carried out under the old regime. Is that not true? If a new service is to open, is must open under the old registration process, despite the fact that it is two and a half years after being promised the new registration process would be complete. That is worrying, to say the least. There is duplication of inspection systems. Does the Minister believe we would be better off if the process was streamlined and there was one comprehensive inspectorate for early years settings?

The Minister has said he has often asked about the reason for the delay himself. He is the Minister with authority and responsibility for ensuring the regulations are published. It is not acceptable, two and a half years on, that we are still awaiting them. Teething problems should have been well sorted out in the time that has expired.

With regard to the re-registration process, I asked a specific question on the 4,500 early years services available. Has any one of them commenced re-registration? I am told the answer is no. If that is the case, is the Minister confident that 100% of the 4,500 services will be able to re-register in one third of the time that was allowed?

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