Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 176: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the details on the proposal to develop a regulatory framework for the provision of after school services; the timescale for this proposal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44732/09]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Child Care Act 1991, my Office is responsible for the Child Care (Pre-School Services) (No. 2) Regulations 2006, which are implemented by the Pre-School Services Inspectorate of the Health Service Executive (HSE). As the Deputy is probably aware, school age childcare services are not subject to specific regulation and I have already signalled that this is an issue I would like to see addressed at the earliest opportunity. A commitment to introduce a regulatory framework for school age childcare services was included in the recently agreed revised Programme for Government and I would fully support this course.

The Deputy will also be aware of the current difficulties arising from staffing and other constraints and the fact that, in the short to medium term, these will necessitate prioritisation of both new and existing work commitments. Notwithstanding these constraints, I would hope that my Office will be in a position to commence preparatory work on the development of a new regulatory framework for school age childcare services during 2010 - 2011.