Government vows to publish creche inspections
Irresponsible childcare providers will also face harsher sanctions, the Government said yesterday.
The qualification levels and standard of childcare workers will also be examined following the concerns raised about care during an RTÉ Prime Time investigation, it was announced.
Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore said immediate action would be taken following revelations of alleged mistreatment of children at three creches in the Leinster area.
The RTÉ programme showed creche staff manhandling children, shouting at them, and snatching toys from their hands.
The Labour leader told the Dáil that legislation on guidelines for caring for children as well as a new agency to oversee services was being progressed.
“There will be a facility whereby the inspection reports that are made on child care facilities will be published online so that parents can see for the reports for themselves,” he said.
A new system of registration for childcare facilities would be overseen by the child and family support agency, he added, which is in the process of being set up.
Mr Gilmore also said the issue of qualifications for childcare workers was being examined. He said that creches which did not comply with standards should have their funding cut.
Frances Fitzgerald, the children’s minister, said the same in the Seanad. She also said she would amend childcare legislation to strengthen sanctions against creches and services where they failed to meet standards or where prosecuted.
However, opposition TDs raised questions about underpaid workers being employed at creches and about the lack of a robust inspection regime of facilities.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said immediate steps needed to be taken to enhance creche inspections.
There were five areas in the country, including parts of Cavan, Monaghan, and Dublin, where no inspections were taking place, he said.
Mr Gilmore agreed with his suggestion that live cameras could be installed in some facilities so that parents could check on their children.
Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald claimed that childcare providers were employing underpaid workers.
She said that JobBridge, a Government website, was advertising “yellow pack posts” which paid €50 per week for childcare workers, on top of welfare payments.
“JobBridge positions should not be approved for any childcare facility,” the TD argued.
