Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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697. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to reports regarding a three year old boy escaping from a child care centre on the Balgaddy road, whereby two different versions were given in the media, one that the young boy was found by the police from Ronanstown and the other that he knocked on the door of his home, if she will confirm which version is correct; and if there was an investigation into this serious issue. [19256/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I understand that the matter referred to by the Deputy relates to an incident at a child care service in West Dublin in June 2013 when an unaccompanied child left the service.

I understand that the service contacted the Garda when the incident occurred and that it was subsequently confirmed by them that the child had returned home.

Preschool services are governed by the Child Care (Pre-School Services) (No 2) Regulations 2006 and are subject to inspection by the Child and Family Agency, Tusla, which was established under the remit of my Department earlier this year taking on this role from the Health Service Executive. I understand that, on foot of a complaint in relation to the incident, an investigation was carried out by the Early Years Inspector for the area and that the matter is now closed.