Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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1184. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the Action Plan for Administrative and Regulatory Simplification for the Early Learning and Childcare Sector will be published; when the first actions to be taken on foot of it will be undertaken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29692/25]

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 completed 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.

Both the completed review, and the consultation feedback report are anticipated to be published in the coming weeks 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. This review will be accompanied by a list of immediate actions that are already in train, or will be delivered in the coming programme year.

Following further engagement with the Working and Advisory groups, the Action Plan which will outline short-term, medium-term, and long term administrative and regulatory simplification measures will be finalised and published in September.