Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 299: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if advanced notice is given when child care facilities are being inspected; if so, the reason for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7372/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Child Care (Pre-School Services) Regulations 1996 and (Amendment) Regulations 1997 give effect to Part VII of the Child Care Act 1991 and 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 children and other similar services which cater for children under six years of age. The Health Service Executive has statutory responsibility for the implementation of these Regulations.

Judgments as to whether a pre-school service is in compliance with the Child Care (Pre-School Services) Regulations 1996 and (Amendment) Regulations 1997 are made on inspection by the pre-school services inspection teams of the Health Service Executive. This responsibility will continue to lie with the Health Service Executive on the introduction of the Child Care (Pre-School Services) Regulations 2006 on 3 September 2007. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.