<p>
	Four complaints a week were lodged about the country&#39;s pre-schools in the first half of the year.</p>
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<p>
	The majority of the 94 complaints relate to care and safety concerns, according to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency which has responsibility for registration and inspection of early-years services.</p>
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	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	The pre-school sector, which came under the spotlight in recent years after a television expos&eacute; showing poor practice, is now subject to new regulations since June, Tusla chief Fred McBride said.</p>
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<p>
	A new pre-school cannot open before a Tusla inspection of services to ensure they it is fit for purpose and can provide the required level of service and care for children.</p>
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	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	&quot;We have recruited additional inspectors. In 2015, the inspectorate moved from local to national governance, providing Tusla with a clear picture of the levels of activity and also identified areas where caseloads were excessive,&quot; he added.</p>
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	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	It currently has 43 early-years inspectors, with a further three positions currently in the final stages of recruitment. Additionally, there are two national inspectors who support the early-years inspectors.</p>
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	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	The stricter regulations mean the work has substantially expanded and additional inspectors will be needed.</p>
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	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Tusla expects to recruit an additional eight inspectors in 2016 and further inspectors in the future.</p>
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	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	There are currently 4,639 services registered with Tusla and the requirement on Tusla to undertake a registration inspection every three years. However, some areas receive inspections approximately every 18 to 24 months.</p>
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	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Inspections are prioritised based on complaints received and providers who do not engage with the process at the required standard.</p>
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	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 5th Sepmteber 2016)</p>
<p>
	<a href="http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/care-and-safety-top-preschool-complaints-35021379.html">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/care-and-safety-top-preschool-complaints-35021379.html</a></p>
