Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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17. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her Department has given consideration to a streamlining of the inspections system for the early years sector in order to decrease the amount of administrative work carried out by services. [22310/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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Deputy, the safety and protection of our children is always the top priority – I know the whole house will agree on that. Inspection of the early years sector is important to ensure our children are safe and to make sure education quality and standards are met.

As someone who has more than three decades experience working and campaigning with the sector I am also aware that inspections, administration and red tape remains one of the main challenges. Clearly there is a balance to be struck. As Minister I am committed to a coherent, streamlined inspection system which does not require us to compromise on child protection issues, quality and high standards.

The Early Years Inspectorate at Tusla and the Inspectorate in the Department of Education and Skills both conduct inspections. Each focuses on different aspects of the services – Tusla on safety and protection, the Department of Education and Skills on quality. Deputy, such dual inspection regimes are not uncommon and in fact operate in several other countries and jurisdictions. Despite the unique focus of both the inspection units they are committed to working closely together in order to avoid unnecessary administrative burdens on, or disruption to, early years services.

My own officials also lead a group called the Operations and Systems Alignment Group. In addition to both inspection units it also involves other bodies including Pobal and the Early Years Specialist Unit. Its ongoing work is to ensure that the approach taken is the most efficient – including the sharing of data and reaching agreement on scheduling visits in advance.

I accept there has been a settling down period between the two inspection units, bearing in mind the Department of Education Inspectorate is still in its first year in operation. I am assured that the levels of co-operation will increase as the relationship between both units becomes more firmly established.