Press Release: Early Childhood Ireland welcomes government measures to strengthen enforcement powers of Tusla Early Years Inspectorate

Early Childhood Ireland has today welcomed the government’s decision to strengthen the enforcement powers of the Tusla Early Years Inspectorate. This arises from a review which was put in place following a 2019 RTÉ Investigates report which found serious and significant breaches of the regulations in three Early Years settings. The amended legislation will empower Tusla with the appropriate enforcement powers to address serious non-compliance and to ensure that parents are kept informed.

The organisation further welcomed the government’s decision to change the legal status of childminders which would allow parents who use registered childminders to access the National Childcare Scheme. This is an important step toward implementing the National Action Plan for Childminding which was published in 2021.

Commenting today, Frances Byrne, Director of Policy with Early Childhood Ireland, said: “We welcome these latest developments from the government. When there is a significant risk to children or other serious non-compliance with regulations, Tusla should be empowered to act promptly to ensure children’s safety and wellbeing. Amending the relevant legislation will ensure that children are safe and protected while attending settings.”

“The government’s progress in implementing the National Action Plan for Childminding should also be commended. Childminders play an important role in the lives of many children and their families. These families will now be able to benefit from the subsidies available under the National Childcare Scheme. The government has also pledged to take further action in relation to the regulation of childminders in the coming months. These regulations should prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children who attend childminders and ensure that parents are kept informed. We look forward to reviewing the detail of these proposals later this year.

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