Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. I am starting from the position that I am not opposed to the measures to increase the quality of childcare. I have been speaking for a long time about the lack of legislation and regulation in respect of the after-school sector. I am hesitant about the quick delivery of the ratio of 1:12 because some of the services may not have been working within the terms of that regulation. It will also take time to list and register the services. Will we have enough staff within Tusla to facilitate the applications which will come in? How are we going to monitor adherence to statements of purpose and function, complaints policies, policies on the administration of medication, policies on infection control, policies on managing behaviour, fire safety, child safeguarding statements, safety statements, and all of the regulations to which we expect adherence? How will we ensure that adherence is inspected? Do we have the staff to do that?

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