Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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226. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the timeline for the establishment of childcare Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27788/21]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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In the Programme for Government we committed to establishing a dedicated agency, Childcare Ireland. The Programme specifies that Childcare Ireland's role will be to assist in expanding high quality early learning and care (ELC) and school age childcare (SAC), best practice and innovation in community and private settings, along with developing career paths for ELC and SAC staff, and for expansion of the early years curriculum, Síolta.

As a precursor to establishing Childcare Ireland, my Department is carrying out a comprehensive review of the operating model that administers all ELC and SAC schemes and initiatives. This was outlined in 'First 5, the Whole of Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families' which was launched in November 2018.

The ELC and SAC sector has grown substantially in the past decade. The review's objective is to ensure that the operating model is fit for purpose to implement Departmental childcare policy relating to quality, affordability and access, to the scale and standards required in an evolving and expanding sector.

An independent external contractor has been engaged by my Department to undertake an analysis of the current landscape and consideration of options for a future operating model. In this regard the review will aim to explore a variety of options in relation to how best the ELC and SAC operating model can be overseen by my Department in the coming years.

I am pleased to report that this review is well underway, and is due to conclude in the coming months. A review Oversight Group, chaired by my Department, has been established, with regular meetings of that group having taken place throughout the year.

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. I look forward to bringing a report back to Government on the matter later in 2021.