Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

236. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs on behalf of Early Childhood Ireland if she will ensure data from the inspection report countrywide are located and analysed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41410/13]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

237. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs on behalf of early childhood Ireland, if she will develop blueprints with targets and timelines to link funding to quality and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41411/13]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 236 and 237 together.

I am committed, in conjunction with the HSE and other stakeholders, to progressing a Pre-School Quality Agenda involving a range of actions aimed at improving the quality within early years services and enhancing the regulatory regime. I have outlined to the Dáil on a number of occasions the areas which I believe need to be addressed as a matter of urgency and a number of reforms have already commenced.

Budget discussions in relation to funding priorities for next year are underway and a number of groups have made submissions to my Department, including Early Childhood Ireland, which are being taken into consideration in this context. However, it is not the practice to engage in correspondence or discussions on these proposals while the budgetary process is ongoing.