Child Care Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 January 2012

Wednesday, 11 January 2012

Ceisteanna (787)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

791 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the assurances she can give that inspectors from the Department of Education and Skills who will be carrying out joint preschool inspections with the Health Service Executive under the child care preschool regulations 2006 will have relevant early childhood care and education qualifications, skills and expertise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1014/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald)

I would like to assure the Deputy that the inspectors from both the HSE and the Department of Education and Skills, who are collaborating in a number of joint inspections during 2012, are professional evaluators with the necessary skills and competencies. When the joint inspection programme has been finished it will be reviewed and the result of that review will contribute to future plans for inspections within the sector.