“Parents rely on the expertise of Tusla and their inspections to ensure that the facility in which they place their children is safe. Last night’s programme cast doubts on the reliability of this inspection system.“
SocDems call for review of oversight and inspection system for childcare facilities
Social Democrats spokesperson for Children, Cllr Jennifer Whitmore, has called on Minister for Children to review the childcare facilities inspection and oversight systems to ensure that they are fit for purpose.
Responding to the shocking revelations in last nights’ RTE Investigates programme, Whitmore said that “the whole basis of childcare is a trust that your children will be well cared for, nurtured and safe. It’s clear that in the cases uncovered last night, this did not happen, which causes concern for all parents whose children are being cared for in a childcare facility.
“The programme highlighted failures in the rigorous implementation of regulations and control of childcare facilities, including the registration of such facilities. There must be lessons taken from these failures. The system of oversight must be reviewed to ensure that it is fit for purpose and that any breaches in regulations, registration or quality of care are identified and addressed quickly.
“This isn’t the first time an RTE programme has uncovered serious issues with a childcare service. Parents rely on the expertise of Tusla and their inspections to ensure that the facility in which they place their children is safe. Last night’s programme cast doubts on the reliability of this inspection system. I urge Minister Zappone to review the current system of regulation and quality control for all childcare facilities to ensure that the situations uncovered last night are not being repeated elsewhere and so that parents can be assured that the facility in which they place their children is fully deserving of that trust.”
ENDS
25th July 2019