630. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the tasks performed by Better Start and the city/county childcare committees on behalf of his Department’s early years division, in tabular from; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24967/24]

Table 1: Tasks performed by Better Start on behalf of Early Learning and Care (ELC) & School-Age Childcare (SAC) Division

The City and County Childcare Committees (CCC) were established in 2001 to advance the provision of ELC and SAC in local areas. The CCCs provide a wide range of supports to the ELC, SAC and childminding sector, to parents and other stakeholders on behalf of my Department. An Annual Statement of Work for the CCCs describes in detail the tasks performed to ensure CCCs:

• Provide support to the sector locally in the coordination and delivery of the national early learning and childcare programmes and the implementation of Government policy at a local level.

• Facilitate and support the development of quality, accessible ELC, SAC and childminding services for the overall benefit of children and their parents.

• Provide support and guidance to local ELC, SAC and childminding service providers and parents in relation to the national childcare programmes and support the delivery of quality early learning and childcare in accordance with national frameworks and policy objectives.

• Facilitate the development of ELC, SAC and Childminding in a strategic and coordinated manner.

• Provide information and support to parents in relation to the provision of ELC, SAC and childminding services within their CCC area.

On 29th March 2022 Government accepted the findings of the independent Review of the ELC and SAC Operating Model in Ireland that a dedicated state agency is the optimal operating model for the sector for the years ahead. This Review undertook a comprehensive analysis of the existing operating model, which included, amongst other organisations, Better Start and the 30 CCCs.  It is envisaged that this state agency will undertake the functions currently carried out by these organisations as well as Pobal Early Years and operational functions currently undertaken by my Department.

Significant progress has been made in advancing plans for a dedicated state agency for ELC and SAC.

My Department has commenced a comprehensive planning and analysis phase which includes robust stakeholder consultation, an examination of all legal requirements, transition and continuity planning, risk management, and a comprehensive evidence-based cost projection for the establishment and annual running costs of the new agency. This work will culminate in a full agency design and implementation plan, which will be presented to Government for approval.