Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate the Minister on the progress he is making but some anomalies emerged from a consultation I conducted in my constituency relating to the sector. I will outline them in a staccato manner but he might respond to each of them. They relate to: the extension of the access and inclusion model, AIM, beyond the early childhood care and education, ECCE, area, to which it is currently confined; the confusion of the huge number of inspectorates that call at the doors of childcare providers; and the anomalies in some of the staffing ratios whereby ratios much lower than those in childhood education are demanded in some parts, even for after-school service and care. Where stands the Minister's proposal to introduce a childcare development authority that would see this sector as one we have to drive on a long-term, sustainable basis with mixed providers?

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