Serious concern over childcare inspections

SERIOUS concerns have been raised over the number of inspections carried out on Northside crèches and preschools.

The issue of inspecting crèches came under the spotlight last year following an RT� Primetime documentary that uncovered the mistreatment of children at a number of facilities.

Figures from Tulsa, the Child and Family Agency, recently released to Dublin North West TD, Róisín Shortall (Ind), show that the Dublin North East Area (DNE) has the lowest number of inspectors in the country.

There are only five inspectors designated for the DNE area, which takes in all the Northside as well as counties Meath, Cavan and Monaghan.

Deputy Shortall said she was seriously concerned about inconsistencies in the level of early childcare inspections nationally and noted that there were

“considerable regional variations

?.

The figures show the ratio of inspectors to children in the DNE area is over 21,000 to one, compared to under 7,000 to one in the Western area.

According to the information received by Deputy Shortall a total of 2,432 inspections were carried out nationally in 2013. However, she believes the level of inspection is entirely inadequate in certain regional areas, but particularly in the DNE.

“Dublin North East, comprising north Dublin and the north east of the country, has the lowest number of inspectors, despite the fact that the child population is one of the highest,

? she said.

“The ratio of inspectors to the child population in the area is one inspector per 21,052 children. By comparison, the Western area has a ratio of one per 6,893 children.

?

CEO of Early Childhood Ireland, Teresa Heeney, agreed that the level of inspections was inadequate and called for more investment to address the problem.

“We need regular and consistent inspections across the country and that can’t be done when the number of inspectors to conduct these inspections just isn’t there,

? she said.

“Some of our members are waiting five years in between inspections, which is just not good enough.

“We are glad to hear that priority is being given by Tusla on recruiting more inspectors throughout September and October and we repeat our call that inspectors must be qualified in early childhood care and education in order to fairly evaluate services.

?

Deputy Shortall says

“a robust system of early childcare inspection

? is essential for child welfare.

“We must ensure that children are cared for in a supportive and safe environment,

? she continued.

“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.

?

In response to Deputy Shortall’s comments Chief Executive of Tusla, Gordon Jeyes, said inspection coverage in Dublin was an issue that is being addressed.

“The agency prioritises the reorganisation of the early years inspection programme on a national rather than a local or regional basis,

? he said.

“This is to ensure that resources are utilised to maximum effect and that a consistent service is provided.

“Vacancies have been filled to provide the full complement of 42 WTE (whole time equivalent) inspectors and will now be augmented by six additional posts.

“Currently there are approximately 4,600 early years service providers and therefore the target ratio will be one inspector to every 100 services.

“This workforce will operate nationally under the scrutiny of four senior inspectors and a national manager reporting directly to the newly appointed Director of Quality Assurance.

“Once fully implemented the new national approach and the new registration process will ensure more rigorous levels of inspections than were hitherto possible. All services will be inspected every three years.

“These changes, along with the soon to be introduced new registration arrangements, directly address the concerns raised by Deputy Shortall and others.

?