The Minister for Children says new legislation will provide for a tougher approach in dealing with childcare services which breach regulations.

Frances Fitzgerald says the new laws, which were announced at Cabinet yesterday, will ensure that all facilities for children are now registered.

39 new inspectors have been appointed to ensure that childcare facilities comply with standards.

The new laws will also regulate after-school services for the first time. 

Minister Fitzgerald says tougher penalties will apply to those who in breach of the regulations:

The Minister plans to bring the proposals before the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children next week.

The draft legislation comes in response to the RTÉ Prime Time Investigates programme "A Breach of Trust" which documented the mistreatment of young children in Dublin and Wicklow creches.