15/01/2020

Govt To Alleviate Pressure From Childcare Providers

The Department of Children and Youth Affairs is to implement a number of new, short-term measures to support childcare providers.

Actions will be taken to support companies in the regulatory environment and ensure a better customer service is delivered.

The Department also plans to address the information overload from the agencies that communicate with providers and will take steps to iron out any early stage challenges with the new National Childcare Scheme.

It's hoped the measures will help the work of childcare providers in the future and ensure they are well equipped to educate children and their families.

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr. Katherine Zappone TD, expressed hope that the changes will acknowledge any challenges the government has faced in keeping up with the growing childcare sector.

The Minister worked with agencies Pobal and Tusla to find ways to streamline the services and communications and alleviate some of the burden felt by providers.

A National Stakeholder Consultative Forum will be set up, in which the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, the Department of Education and Skills, Pobal and Tusla will work directly with the Early Years Sector. They will consult jointly and separately as required. The Forum will also have regional sub-groups.

Minister Zappone said: "We will co-ordinate routine communications on advisory and support matters from all agencies, so that providers get a single monthly bulletin with information from each agency.

"We will coordinate supports for providers to assist with Registration and Re-registration processes."



(JG/CM)

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