Fitzgerald claims new childcare legislation will be tougher

The Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald has said new legislation will provide for a tougher approach in dealing with childcare services which breach regulations.

Ms Fitzgerald said the new laws, which were announced at Cabinet yesterday, will ensure that all facilities for children are now registered.

There are 39 inspectors at present and 10 new inspectors will also be appointed to ensure that childcare facilities comply with standards.

Minister Fitzgerald said tougher penalties will also apply to those who in breach of the regulations.

She said: "These services have to be registered. Instead of simply notifying the HSE that they existed we insisted that the inspection regime needs to be, if you like, more complex, more subtle and needs to get in at an earlier stage, be able to withdraw registration, if that is necessary.

"Also we are going to regulate, for the first time, all those services, after-school services that many children use."