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

I welcome Senator Richmond's question on the re-registration of early learning and care services and the opportunity to update the House on the current arrangements. I appreciate the spirit in which he raised the matter and will attempt to provide the clarity he requests.

As he is aware, the Child and Family Agency Act 2013 provided for the establishment and maintenance by Tusla of a register of early years services providers. All services are required to re-register every three years and the majority are required to re-register by 31 December 2019. This deadline has been known to providers since 2016 and appears on their registration certificate. Over the past 18 months, Tusla has been engaging with providers regarding requirements for re-registration, including through a consultative forum of stakeholders. In August 2019, Tusla issued further guidance to service providers on specific planning permission documentation required as part of the re-registration process.

In recognition of the difficulties many providers were experiencing in completing re-registration, Tusla decided to revise the timeline for submission of supporting documentation for re-registration. Under the revised arrangements, although providers must apply to Tusla by 12 December, they have until 30 June 2020 to provide some of the supporting documentation required, including documentation on fire safety and planning requirements, which stakeholders identified as the most onerous.

My Department has been working closely with Tusla on the matter. Although the health and safety of children is the primary concern in decisions on the regulation of early learning and care services, I recognise that a balanced approach to the re-registration process is required. In that context, I fully support Tusla's decision to extend the period. On 27 November, my Department issued a letter informing providers that Tusla has revised the timeline for submission of supporting documentation for re-registration. The letter provides clear guidance on what documentation is required by the 12 December deadline and what can be submitted up until 30 June. Although the 12 December deadline is close, I am confident that the changes announced by Tusla mean it is very achievable for providers. I urge all providers to complete their applications on time for this important legal process in order to be on the register of services in January. If they do not do so, they will not be eligible for public funding.My Department has been working closely with Tusla to ensure adequate numbers of staff are in place to process applications on time and ensure effective communication with providers. In addition, my Department has supported city and county childcare committees to give advice and assistance to providers that need help with re-registration.

Most services are compliant with fire safety requirements and have not faced additional costs for re-registration. Those that are not compliant have to make changes. I am sure we will all agree on the importance of addressing fire safety concerns. In recognition of this, my Department awarded €330,000 in capital funding to community-based, not-for-profit services in 2019. This has helped to address fire safety issues that had been highlighted in inspection reports. A further, related round of capital funding will be provided in 2020 for the same purpose. When the Tusla early-years inspectorate identifies fire safety issues during inspections, it notifies the local authority fire services, which have responsibility for this.

On 12 December, providers will have to provide documentation that they should have such as proof of Garda vetting, proof of identity, a safety statement and proof of insurance cover. This is reasonable and necessary to ensure the safety of children.