Written answers

Wednesday, 22 January 2025

Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Departmental Regulations

Photo of Mark WardMark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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1256. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the regulations that are in place for after school clubs for child to childcare worker ratio; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1523/25]

Photo of Roderic O'GormanRoderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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School age childcare (SAC) services are required to operate within regulatory minimum adult-to-child ratios as set out in the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Registration of School Age Services) Regulations 2018. The ratio sets the minimum number of adults required to supervise, care for and work directly with the children in the service.

The introduction of SAC Regulations in 2018 was an important step in ensuring oversight and quality assurance of SAC services which is in the best interests of the children and families who use these services.

In setting regulatory requirements, the primary consideration must be children’s health, safety and well-being, and these were the primary factors considered when setting a minimum 1:12 adult-to-child ratio in the 2018 Regulations. The 1:12 ratio was agreed following consultation with an expert group on SAC standards, which included a range of sector representatives among its members.

In line with the commitment in the First 5: Implementation Plan 2023-2025 (action D.2.A.5), my Department has recently commenced the process of drafting comprehensive regulations for SAC services, building on the initial 2018 registration regulations. As part of this process, the Department is also reviewing the legislation underpinning the regulation of SAC.

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