Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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77. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps that his Department will take to tackle the weaknesses of Ireland’s operating model regarding the care of children following a review (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28491/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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On 29 March 2022, Government accepted the findings of the independent Review of the Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) Operating Model that a dedicated State agency is the optimal operating model for the ELC and SAC sector for the years ahead.  It is envisaged that this dedicated agency will undertake the functions currently carried out by Pobal Early Years (including Better Start), the City/County Childcare Committees (CCC), as well as operational functions currently undertaken by my Department.   

The Review, carried out independently by Indecon International Consultants, identified a number of strengths and weaknesses within the current operating model.  The Review was informed by consultation with stakeholders and by national and international evidence.  The weaknesses identified include fragmentation and duplication within the existing model, resulting in complexity, confusion and administrative burden for ELC and SAC providers and for families.  The Review also found that there is an insufficient level of engagement with families within the current operating model.  Notably, Indecon highlighted that the multiplicity of organisations, their structure, their size and their varied internal governance also presents challenges in meeting requirements in respect of governance and accountability regarding publically funded organisations.

A reformed operating model will address these gaps and weaknesses, whilst harnessing the very many strengths identified as part of this review. Among the strengths identified within the current operating model is the experience and expertise of staff, their flexibility to changing needs, their local knowledge and their commitment to continuous improvement.

A dedicated State agency will assist in the development of a more streamlined structure to better support the delivery of ELC and SAC at national and local level, and will facilitate my Department in implementing and progressing the significant reform agenda envisaged under First 5, the Whole of Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families.

My Department has now commenced a further phase of detailed analysis and open planning, consultation and engagement with sectoral stakeholders to determine how the recommendation arising from the Review can best be implemented.  This phase will include, inter alia, a detailed design of a new operating model, an examination of all legal requirements, transition and continuity planning, risk management, and an examination of associated costings.  In parallel to this ongoing work, and taking account of the weaknesses of the existing model, this phase will also involve an examination of how these weaknesses can be addressed pending the establishment of a dedicated agency.   

I look forward to bringing a further report to Government next year following the completion of this phase of what is a significant and transformative reform project.