Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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29. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of her Department's planned examination of its relationship with Pobal with a view to forming a closer statutory relationship; if the terms of reference for this examination have been agreed upon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38007/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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Pobal is a not-for-profit company, which works on behalf of the Irish Government in managing programmes that contribute to social inclusion, equality and reconciliation.

Pobal operates under the aegis of the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD). Consequently, any decisions regarding its structure or statutory relationships require the consideration of my cabinet colleague, Minister Ring, the officials of his department, and the Pobal Board.

The services Pobal provides to my Department are managed under a multi-level governance framework, specifically service level agreements, programmes of work, and individual programme agreements, all of which are monitored closely via regular high level management meetings. As I previously stated in my answer to PQ 18842 from the Deputy on the 1st May 2018, my Department has no immediate plans to revise the basis of our relationship with Pobal.

I am currently advancing a cross-Government, ten year strategy for babies, young children and their families which I will publish before the end of the year. It will contain significant content relating to the provision of accessible, high quality and affordable childcare, as well as the governance, administrative systems and investment required to achieve these objectives. It is anticipated that this strategy will outline the parameters in a number of Early Years policy areas and any reviews planned within the Early Years section of my Department will be guided by it.

One such review the Early Years Strategy will set out important context for is the review of the systems and structures which exist nationally and locally to support childcare provision in this country. As I outlined to the Deputy in response to his May 2018 PQ, this review will include an analysis of the services provided to my Department by the City and County Childcare Committees, Pobal, and various National Voluntary Childcare Organisations; and the interactions between my Department and these entities.

This review will be undertaken after the content and priorities of the long-term strategy have been finalised.