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Roderic O’Gorman, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, has today secured Government approval to bring forward legislative amendments in relation to the enforcement powers of the Tusla Early Years
Inspectorate.
The proposals brought to Cabinet by the Minister seek to ensure that Tusla has the appropriate enforcement powers to address serious non-compliance with the Regulations by early learning and childcare services and that parents have access to information in relation to the quality of these services.
The proposals arise from a review of the enforcement powers of the regulator which was instigated in 2019 following an RTÉ Investigates Programme which made allegations of serious and significant breaches of regulations in three early learning and childcare services.
The review has been informed by a comprehensive public consultation, ongoing consultation with Tusla, and research in relation to regulatory oversight in other jurisdictions and in other sectors in Ireland. The report on the public consultation is being finalised at present and the Minister intends to publish the report in the coming months.
Measures being proposed include new powers to allow Tusla to immediately close unregistered early learning and childcare services, to temporarily suspend registered services where there are concerns about significant risk to children, to share information on enforcement action with parents, to place some additional enforcement measures on a legislative footing, and to introduce a “Fit Person” regulation.
Minister O’Gorman also received approval for proposals to change the legal status of childminders, which would make possible the future regulation of childminders and allow for access to the National Childcare Scheme to be opened in future to parents who use registered childminders, in line with the National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028. The National Action Plan for Childminding sets out an incremental and supportive pathway to regulation, subsidies and supports for childminders. An Inspection and Regulation Expert Advisory Group has been established to scope out the content of the childminding regulations. It is intended that the Minister will bring draft childminding-specific regulations to Government for consideration later this year with a view to bringing them into force at a later date.
Speaking today, Minister O’Gorman said:
“The safety and protection of children remains a priority of Government. Key to ensuring this is the enforcement of Regulations which have children at the heart of their implementation.
“I think it is important to emphasise that the intention of the proposals which I have brought to Government today is not to increase enforcement action but instead streamline it where appropriate and address some of the limitations of the current legislation, making the enforcement process more effective and so improving overall compliance with Regulations within the early learning and childcare sector.
“Amending the legislation to bring the policy proposals to fruition will also provide an opportunity to address the exemption from regulation for childminders which is currently included in the legislation. This will pave the way for the introduction of appropriate and proportionate childminder-specific regulations in the future. Future regulation and support of childminders will help to recognise the valuable role childminders play and the service they provide for children and families. Importantly, it will also pave the way to open up the National Childcare Scheme to childminders, extending subsidies under this Scheme to families who use childminders”
Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, has today announced Ireland’s participation in the OECD Starting Strong Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS Starting Strong), in partnership with the Central Statistics
Office (CSO).
TALIS Starting Strong is the first international survey of the early learning and care workforce. It provides early years educators and managers with an opportunity to share insights on their professional development; pedagogical beliefs and practices; and working conditions, as well as various other leadership, management and workplace issues.
The survey seeks to identify strengths of, and improvement opportunities for, early learning and care environments across different countries.
Ireland, along with 16 other countries, is taking part in the survey. The findings will help inform future policy development in Ireland, building on Nurturing Skills, the Workforce Plan for Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare 2022-2028.
The TALIS Starting Strong field trial will commence in February, with main fieldwork taking place in early 2024.
Commenting, Minister O’Gorman said:
“Nurturing Skills commits to Ireland’s participation in the next round of TALIS Starting Strong.
"I am delighted to announce the upcoming field trial for this survey and the appointment of the Central Statistics Office to the role of National Project Office.
"TALIS Starting Strong is the first survey of its kind in Ireland and will provide a solid evidence base to inform and monitor the ongoing implementation of Nurturing Skills.
"Participation and engagement by settings and staff is strongly encouraged."
Padraig Dalton, Director General, CSO said:
“As Ireland’s national statistical office, the CSO’s role is to support research and public policy by producing impartial and robust data reflecting Ireland’s economy, people and society. The CSO is delighted to take on the role of National Project Office for TALIS Starting Strong. This survey is in keeping with our mandate to co-ordinate with other public bodies to produce official statistics.”
From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Published on 20 January 2023
Last updated on 20 January 2023
• €50,000 will be made available to 25 projects.
• Pilot grants of €2,000 will be allocated to successful organisations to assist with a range of projects including; supporting parents of children with additional needs, parents from migrant backgrounds, parents of LGBTI+ young people, and parenting when separated.
Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, today announced the 25 projects to receive funding under the 2023 Supporting Parents, Parent Peer Support Fund. Through this Fund, a total of €50,000 will be made available to support organisations across Ireland to develop inclusive and welcoming parent peer support initiatives for all parents.
Supporting Parents: A National Model of Parenting Support Services seeks to ensure that all parents are confident and capable in their parenting role, helping to achieve the best outcomes for children and families. This peer support fund is a step towards parents feeling confident and comfortable seeking support from their peers.
Research in Ireland has demonstrated that peer support is highly valued by parents, both for common ages and stages and for specific parenting challenges. Informal support networks are an important protective factor that can enhance parental wellbeing and act as a valuable source of information about other parenting support services. Parent peer support groups can promote healthy parenting skills, an increased sense of empowerment, and a feeling of belonging. Parenting support groups can also be particularly helpful for parents of those who are coping with anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues and for parents of children with complex care needs.
Welcoming the latest announcement, Minister O’Gorman said:
Every parent deserves to feel supported in their role as a parent. This initiative will allow these organisations to continue their important work, fostering these peer connections and support systems across Ireland.
This funding will provide practical support to services focused on providing high quality supports for parents. The variety of initiatives is a credit to the support services who are listening to and responding to the needs of parents in their local areas.
From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Published on 19 January 2023
Last updated on 19 January 2023
Roderic O’Gorman, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, today announced that more than 105,000 children are now benefitting from the National Childcare Scheme a 95% increase on the same period in 2022.
Since 2 January, the minimum hourly subsidy under the National Childcare Scheme all children under 15 is €1.40 – an increase of €0.90 per hour from last year.
For families using Tusla-registered early learning and childcare, this subsidy increase represents further cost reductions of up to €2,106 (or a reduction of up to €3,326 in total) off the annual cost of early learning and childcare for each child.
These changes to the National Childcare Scheme - backed by €121 million secured in Budget 2023 by Minister O’Gorman, bringing total funding for the Scheme to €358 million in 2023 – has given rise to an unprecedented growth in parental demand for support under the Scheme.
Parents with children attending Oasis Childcare Centre in Freshford, County Kilkenny and Waterville’s Little Stars in Dublin 15 talked about the impact of recent changes to the National Childcare Scheme on their engagement in work or study and on family finances, with children talking about what they liked most about attending these services.
Katie, whose child attends Oasis Childcare Centre in Freshford, County Kilkenny, says 'without the National Childcare Scheme, I would not have been able to go to work as the cost of childcare would cancel out my wages.....I would highly recommend national Childcare Scheme to all parents.'
Cristina, whose son who attends Waterville’s Little Stars in Dublin 15 said 'Many parents, especially mothers, think that they have to choose between their careers and motherhood, since childcare costs are so high. Going back to work might look like a financially questionable decision. The National Childcare Scheme it affordable.' The increase in the subsidy rate 'means more money that could go towards food, clothing and other household needs.'
Rob, whose daughter attends Waterville’s Little Stars, noted 'the subsidy has helped a lot financially, with the rising general cost for everything: the reduction has been a big relief.'
Children attending Oasis Childcare Centre in Freshford, County Kilkenny spoke about the favourite things they do there, including 'playing with dinosaurs', 'playing on the swing' and 'listening to stories'. When asked 'what do you learn every day?' they included 'songs and colours of the rainbow', 'putting on my coat, tidying up, washing my hands', 'numbers', 'baking' and 'hurling.'
Welcoming today’s announcement, Minister O' Gorman said:
“This government is delivering on its promise to make high-quality early learning and childcare more affordable for families and accessible to all children.
"I welcome the news that there are now more than 105,000 children, and their families, benefitting from the National Childcare Scheme.
"We have seen huge demand for the National Childcare Scheme since the increase in subsidies was announced as part of Budget 2023, as part of the government’s €1 billion investment in early learning and childcare for 2023.
"I encourage all eligible families to avail of the supports on offer through the National Childcare Scheme, by visiting www.ncs.gov.ie, calling the Parent Support Centre on 01 906 8530 or talking to their early learning and childcare provider."
The National Childcare Scheme supports many families who would otherwise struggle to meet the cost of early learning and childcare. Increasing female labour force participation has been identified by the ESRI as a crucial step in meeting targets to reduce child poverty, and potentially the policy intervention with the largest impact on groups at risk of poverty.
Offaly County Childcare Committee support the development of quality, affordable, inclusive, accessible childcare and family friendly services for all children in every part of the county.
Offaly County Childcare Committee has been meeting since May 2001 and is made up of representatives from the statutory sector, social partners, community groups, voluntary groups, the Community and Voluntary Forum, National Voluntary Children's Organisations, providers of childcare, and parents - all of whom have a vested interest in childcare provision in the county.
