Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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253. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position in relation to a matter (details supplied) regarding the "Prime Time" programme which gave a shocking insight into the state of child care here and the issues that need to be addressed urgently by the Government: if she will ensure all child care services are affordable and high in quality by providing State subsidies, linked to quality; if she will introduce minimum qualification requirements for all those who work in child care facilities and make sure that happens by putting a training fund behind it; reform the inspection system by ensuring all inspectors are trained and have expertise in what to look for in terms of quality curriculum for young children; if she will impose sanctions on any creche that breaches regulations to make sure crèches improve on inspection; if she will link public funding to quality for all age groups, not just children in free preschool year; if she will regulate all child minders; if she will ensure that anyone paid to mind children should be trained, vetted and subject to regulation and inspection; if she will invest properly in the Garda National Vetting Bureau so that vetting can be done quickly for anyone working for children, put proper investment behind the national early years strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32856/13]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Since the broadcast of the Prime Time programme, my Department has received a large volume of correspondence in relation to the events outlined in the programme. I recently announced a number of measures as part of my response to the distressing events highlighted in the programme. As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, driving the early childhood care and education quality agenda is one of my key objectives. It is my intention to introduce new qualification requirements for the sector starting in September 2014. This will be an important new development as, at present, staff working in childcare services other than under the ECCE programme, are not subject to any requirement in respect of qualifications.

The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme introduced the first-ever requirement for minimum qualifications for staff working in the childcare sector. The current requirement under the programme is that the pre-school leader delivering the pre-school provision must hold a qualification in childcare/early education at a minimum of Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications of Ireland (NFQ), or an equivalent nationally-recognised qualification or a higher award in the childcare/early education field. A higher capitation rate is payable to services where all of the pre-school leaders hold a bachelor degree in childhood/early education (minimum of Level 7 on the NFQ) and have three years experience working in the sector, and where all of the pre-school assistants hold a relevant major award in childcare/early education at Level 5 on the NFQ.

I have indicated my intention to increase the qualification requirements for all staff working in pre-school services. The minimum requirement of Level 5 for pre-school leaders delivering the pre-school year will be increased to Level 6. In addition, all pre-school assistants, and all other staff caring for children in a pre-school service, will be subject to a minimum requirement of Level 5. This requirement will be effective from September 2014 for new services, and from September 2015 for existing services.

Pre-school services are governed by the Child Care (Pre-School Services) (No 2) Regulations 2006 as provided in the Child Care Act 1991. Under the Regulations the Health Service Executive has responsibility for the inspection of services and the enforcement of the regulations. Inspection is carried out to monitor compliance with the Regulations thereby ensuring the health, safety and welfare of children and the promotion of their development.

As I have outlined in recent weeks, a number of steps are being taken to improve the current inspection system. These include the introduction of National Quality Standards for pre-school services later this year as part of the inspection process. In addition, my Department is working with the Pre-School Inspectorate to develop new protocols on regulatory compliance so that there is greater clarity and consistency of approach as to how inspection reports deal with findings of serious non-compliance vis a vis minor breaches and full compliance. My Department is also undertaking a review of the penalties currently in place for breach of the Child Care (Pre-school) Regulations, as provided for under the Child Care Act 1991. The review will look at increasing the range and severity of the existing penalties including the actions which can be taken by Inspectors without recourse to court prosecution, as is currently the case.

My Department is currently developing a new Children and Young People's Policy Framework which will set out high level goals for both my own and other Departments for the next five years. The Policy Framework is expected to be published later this year and will build on Our Children - Their Lives, Ireland's first Children's Strategy which was published in 2000. This is relevant to the Early Years Strategy as the Strategy is one of three, more detailed strategies which will be developed under the Framework.

The Early Years Strategy, which will be Ireland's first ever national strategy for early years, is under development. It is expected that it will cover a range of issues affecting children in their first years of life such as child health and well-being, parenting and family support, learning and development, play and recreation and early childhood care and education. The Strategy will further recognise the economic imperative and benefits accruing from targeted investment in early years interventions. One of the specific issues of policy which I have identified for consideration in the preparation of the new Strategy is the future role and regulation of the childminding sector.

The results of a public consultation, undertaken as part of the development of the Children and Young People Policy Framework, is currently being analysed and will inform both the Framework and the Early Years Strategy. I expect the Early Years Strategy to be published before the end of the year.

Officials in my Department are continuing to examine the many proposals and suggestions submitted by those concerned by the revelations in the Prime Time broadcast. These contributions will be considered as part of a comprehensive response to the events highlighted in the programme.