Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I signed important new regulations recently which will come into force on 18 February. These will enable school-age childcare services to register with Tusla in time to take part in the affordable childcare scheme when it opens later this year. The scheme will make school-age childcare more affordable for many parents. The regulation of school-age childcare is an important measure to secure children’s health, safety and welfare. The affordable childcare scheme will only be available to services that are registered with Tusla, a critical quality assurance measure associated with the provision of State funding.

I am conscious of the impact that the regulations will have on providers, and I have made provisions accordingly. With regard to registration, existing services will have six months in which to apply for registration with Tusla if they are also registered as preschool services. Existing services that only provide school-age childcare will have three months in which to apply for registration with Tusla. A person who proposes to set up a new service will be required to apply for registration at least three months before commencing the service.

The regulations, including the minimum ratio requirement of one adult to 12 children, were developed following the advice of the school age childcare standards working group, which in 2018 submitted proposals for school-age childcare standards. Membership of the group included representatives from across the school-age childcare sector. In developing its proposals, the working group reviewed international evidence and practice. It was reconvened for a further meeting with officials in September 2018, during drafting of the regulations, for consultation specifically on the adult-child ratio and outdoor space requirements.

I acknowledge that some services may require additional time to adjust to the minimum ratio of one adult to 12 children. Officials in my Department have had discussions on this issue recently with a number of sector representatives. As a result of these consultations, I have decided to extend the commencement date of the minimum ratio requirements by six months. I acknowledge the Deputy's representations in this regard.

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