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

I thank Senators for their contributions. It is extremely important that we have had the opportunity to discuss this issue. The public debate under way is probably the first real national debate we have had on the early years sector. We have had this type of debate on child protection in a broader sense, but it is good to focus on the early years.

I regret what has precipitated the debate - that is, the contents of the "Prime Time" programme. As Minister I have been very alert to these issues since I took office. That is why I have a programme of work under way. I established the early years group to examine the range of issues on which we have touched today. For too long child care was seen as a solution for working parents, rather than a key input for children and their development. Clearly, that is the focus we need to have.

My job and that of every Senator is to ensure we have a new attitude that values early childhood care and that people understand the sector, what it is about and its importance, and the importance of quality of care for children in the early years. As was said, we have Irish research on the importance of the sector. We have some superb interventions and services for children around the country which are making a difference to the lives of families and children. Today we are focusing on areas of difficulty.

It is not correct to say, as the Opposition has said, that services are controlled, organised and managed by the State. There are 4,600 private and community-based preschool services currently meeting the child care needs of parents. As I said, the vast majority operate to a very high standard. I want to focus on areas of particular concern to Senators and respond to some of the points made.

On inspections, in 2011 and 2012 more than 2,600 child care providers were subject to inspection. Senators asked about the regulations. I have a booklet which contains the statutory instrument. It is very detailed. Section 5 is about the development and welfare of children, which are an aspect of inspections. It is not always about inspection; enforcement, follow-up and the quality agenda in the sector are important. The inspection rate we have is 60% of all providers in each year, which compares favourably with comparable jurisdictions such as England, where OFSTED operates a policy of inspecting child care providers on a three- to four-year cycle. I take the points Senators have made about particular parts of the country in regard to inspection services and will address them. I have asked the HSE, which is currently reviewing the regional spread of resources, to determine the measures required to ensure that inspections are carried out on a consistent basis in all areas and whether additional resources or reassignment of staff are required. I have spoken to Mr. Gordon Jeyes in the past few days. I have liaised with the HSE and have spoken to its head of quality assurance and the head of inspectorates to ensure this will happen. We cannot have a situation in which areas of the country have not had inspections because no staff are available. To make sure this happens, Mr. Jeyes is taking a national approach to the issue in order that he can redeploy staff on a national basis to areas where they are needed. That is currently being examined and will happen.