David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 64: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on publishing all pre-school and crèche inspection reports on-line; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41438/06]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Health Service Executive has statutory responsibility for the implementation of the 1996 and 1997 Child Care (Pre-School Services) Regulations, which give effect to the provisions of Part VII of the Child Care Act 1991. These provide for notification to, and inspection by, the Health Service Executive of pre-school services. The Regulations apply to pre-schools, playgroups, day nurseries, crèches, childminders looking after more than three pre-school children (other than their own such children) in the childminders own home and other similar services which cater for children under six years of age.

The notification and inspection service is managed by the pre-school inspection teams of the Health Service Executive who are appointed by the Executive as authorised persons for this purpose. These teams also provide an advisory service to help the relevant service providers achieve and maintain appropriate standards of care.

I understand that the HSE is developing a standardised Inspection Report and that the reports from inspections will be made available to the public on the HSE website from early 2007.