Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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46. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of the establishment of childcare Ireland. [22365/20]

Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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52. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of the establishment of childcare Ireland. [22367/20]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 52 together.

The Government has committed to establishing a dedicated agency, Childcare Ireland which was outlined in the 2020 Programme for Government. It is envisaged that Childcare Ireland will assist in expanding high quality childcare, best practice and innovation in community and private childcare settings. Childcare Ireland will also be tasked with developing career paths for childcare staff and for expansion of the Early Years Curriculum, Síolta.

In 'First Five, the Whole of Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families', published in November 2018, the Department committed to complete a comprehensive review of the operating model for Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) in this country.

The review's objective is to ensure that the operating system is equipped to implement the Departmental policy to the scale and standards required in a sector which has seen substantial growth in the past two decades, with the citizens of Ireland at its heart as core beneficiaries.

The final operating system will support high quality, accessible and affordable ELC and SAC services to children and families through the efficient and effective administration of a number of programmes, schemes, quality initiatives, and other functions such a compliance and communications.

This operating model will support service providers, operate transparently and accountably, provide value for money to the Exchequer and demonstrate good governance. The model will also enable appropriate linkages and effective working relationships with all other agencies and Departments charged with delivering better outcomes for children and families.

The review will formally commence at the end of this month and will conclude in July 2021. The review will be led by the Department, with appropriate assistance from external bodies, secured by tender. In addition, the Department will engage with all relevant stakeholders during the process.

The review will aim to explore a variety of options in relation to how best the ELC and SAC operating system can be overseen by the DCYA in the coming years. It is envisaged that the analysis carried out through the review will provide a robust evidence base to inform a decision concerning the establishment of Childcare Ireland and the range of functions it may provide and ultimately the role it will play in the Childcare sector.