Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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On 29th March 2022, Government accepted the findings of an Independent Review of the Early Learning and Childcare Operating Model in Ireland that a dedicated state agency is the optimal operating model for the early learning and childcare sector for the years ahead.

A dedicated state agency will assist in the development of a more streamlined structure to better support the delivery of early learning and childcare, 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. It will also meet the Programme for Government commitment to establish an agency referred to by the Deputy.

My Department has commenced a comprehensive phase of analysis, planning, consultation, and engagement with sectoral stakeholders to determine how the recommendation arising from the Review can best be implemented. This phase includes a detailed design of a new agency, which will comprise a comprehensive evidence-based cost projection for the establishment and annual running costs of the agency, a determination of the appropriate national, local and regional structures, and an examination of all legal requirements, as well as transition and continuity planning and risk management.

A Programme Board has been appointed to oversee this work and comprises inter-departmental representatives alongside several external experts with experience at senior level in change management and large-scale reform, leadership, governance, public policy, and a knowledge of the early learning and childcare sector. A programme of work and set of priorities are currently being agreed with the Programme Board.

This work will culminate in a full agency design and implementation plan and I look forward to presenting this to Government for approval in due course.