Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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562. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if her Department is aware of a situation presenting for parents of children attending a childcare service regarding a transfer of location (details supplied); and if correspondence will be considered with a view to providing a reply to the parents concerned. [27698/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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On the question of admission policies, registered early learning and care and school-age childcare providers are private entities and are free to set their own admissions policies. My Department currently has no role in that regard. However, I would encourage any parent to contact their local City or County Childcare Committee for support and guidance, where they have concerns in this regard. Contact details for all Childcare Committees can be found at .

On the question of adult child ratios and other requirements to ensure the safety and care of children who attend early learning and care and school age childcare services, Tusla is the independent statutory regulator for the sector with the responsibility for registration and inspection. I would encourage any parent to contact Tusla, where they have concerns in this regard. Contact details for Tusla can be found at

It is a legal requirement under the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Registration of School Age Services) Regulations 2018 for those proposing to open a school-age service to submit an application for registration with Tusla at least three months before they intend to commence operation. This is to allow sufficient time for the processing and approval of such applications in line with the relevant statutory requirements.

Regulations for school age childcare first came into force in 2019. As these initial regulations are mainly focused on registration, officials in my Department are now developing comprehensive school-age childcare regulations. I will shortly be launching a public consultation on the content of these regulations and later this year I also plan to consult directly with children on school-age childcare. The public consultation will be an opportunity for providers, parents, school-age childcare practitioners, and other stakeholders to shape the legislation that supports the regulation of school-age childcare services.