New laws set to strengthen regulation of childcare sector

Children’s Minister Frances Fitzgerald has said new childcare laws approved by Cabinet yesterday will strengthen the registration and regulation of pre-school services all over the country.

Likely to be enshrined on Oct 3, the laws will mean that for the first time the country’s 4,600 pre-school facilities will have to be registered, and inspectors will be able to order improvements in childcare facilities.

Failure to comply could mean registration being withdrawn.