Ombudsman: €1k fine 'not a lot' for non-compliant creches

The Children's Ombudsman Emily Logan has said the sanctions for non-compliance with regulations on the running of creches need to be be re-examined.

A Garda investigation is continuing into the alleged physical abuse of children at three creches in Dublin and Wicklow, after the parents of the children involved in the Prime Time programme contacted Gardaí.

Political parties have already pledged to work together to ensure the speedy passage of new legislation aimed at improving childcare standards.

The Children's Ombudsman said a €1,000 fine is not a strong enough sanction for a profit-making creche.

Ms Logan said: "There is a facility to prosecute for non-compliance, we don't know if any one has ever been prosecuted, and then there's a fine of €1,000.

"Now we are all well aware of the kind of way some of the childcare institutions are run, they are profit-making institutions, I am not differentiating between public and private, I don’t think that's helpful.

"But it is important to see that the sanctions are strong enough, so a fine of €1,000 isn't a lot if you are making money out of childcare."