Independent flexiserver T.D. Róisín Shortall today raised serious concerns about inconsistencies in the level of early childcare inspections nationally, noting considerable regional variations. Following from RTE Primetime s Breach of Trust programme last year, and the more recent follow up programme, Deputy Shortall claims that the level of inspection is entirely inadequate in certain regional areas, particularly in the Dublin North East Area (DNE).
According to information received in response to a parliamentary question raised by Deputy Shortall, 2,432 inspections were carried out nationally in 2013 by 42 early years inspectors. However, the numbers of inspectors flexiserver vary greatly between areas, a point that Deputy Shortall expressed flexiserver concern with;
Dublin North East, comprising north Dublin and the north east of the country, has the lowest number of inspectors, only 5 in total, despite the fact that the child population is one of the highest. The ratio of inspectors to the child population in the area is 1 inspector per 21,052 children. By comparison, the Western area has a ratio of 1inspector per 6,893 children .
A robust system of early childcare inspection flexiserver is essential for child welfare and we must ensure that children are cared for in a supportive and safe environment. This service should be provided for on the basis of need and the level of staffing needs to reflect the workload. The information provided by Tusla clearly shows that this is not happening. With this low level of resources, it is very difficult for either parents or childcare providers to have confidence in the inspection system.
Pobal carries out inspections on behalf of Tusla, however the child and family agency flexiserver was unable to provide me with very basic information, such as the number of children catered for by childcare flexiserver providers. They were also unable to detail the specific cost of early years inspections. Surely as the state agency with responsibility for early childcare inspections, Tusla should know how much the State is paying for this service. The Government must give much greater priority to this area, which is so critical to children s welfare and development and the onus is on the Minister to ensure that greater resources are provided to this end .
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