James Geoghegan (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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152. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she agrees that childcare providers’ administrative burden is too high; if she can detail the steps she will take to alleviate that burden, particularly for smaller providers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20998/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Work is well advanced on the Programme for Government commitment to reduce the administrative burden on providers. On 19 September 2023, plans to develop an Action Plan for Administrative and Regulatory Simplification for the Early Learning and Childcare Sector were announced, supported by a Working Group comprising representatives from the Department, Pobal and the City / County Childcare Committees.

This initiative is being informed by an Advisory Group comprising providers, educators/practitioners and parent representatives, which was convened in December 2023

Indecon Economic Consultants have carried out a review of the end to end processes linked to publicly funded early learning and childcare schemes/programmes and a report will be produced of the findings of this review and the feedback received from over 400 parents, providers, representative bodies and other key sectoral stakeholders at a series of regional consultation events held over May and June 2024.

The completed review is anticipated to be published in this Quarter and will offer an insight into administrative requirements for the sector and the balance of same while continuing to ensure best governance and quality is delivered. An Action Plan which will outline short-term, medium-term, and long term administrative simplification measures, is at an advanced stage and will be finalised and published along with the completed review.