The Minister for Children has moved to reassure parents in the wake of allegations of mistreatment of children in three separate creches.

Minister Frances Fitzgerald says there are ongoing inspections of creches, and facilities that fail these will face sanctions.

Concerns were raised after footage was recorded by RTÉ's Investigations Unit which is to be broadcast early next week.
In a statement, RTÉ claimed the programme demonstrates that standards of childcare in three creches were in breach of HSE regulations and childcare guidelines.

The three creches at the centre of the allegations are: Links crèche in Abington in Dublin; Giraffe crèche in Belarmine, Stepaside, Dublin; and Little Harvard in Rathnew, Co Wicklow.

Manager of Giraffe creche Simon Dowling has issued a statement this evening.
"Earlier today RTE facilitated a viewing for GiraffeÂ’s management and staff of the edited clips of their researcherÂ’s undercover film footage taken at our Centre at Belarmine. There was clear evidence of inappropriate conduct in caring for young children by a particular staff member, who has already been suspended. Such incidents involved the unnecessary strapping of children in to their chairs for purposes other than meal time or table top activities. The children were seated for periods longer than necessary or to be considered best practice. The footage also highlights the unacceptable behaviour of aforementioned member of staff and her abrupt handling of the children during rest and sleep periods. There was also an indication that parentsÂ’ communication diaries may have been fabricated and a question over the maintenance of the allergy list."

"I am deeply upset and disappointed at the subject matter shown in the recorded footage" said Simon Dowling, Managing Director. "It is unacceptable and totally against everything we represent at Giraffe . It also undermines the love and care our hard working edu-carers give to the children and whom our parents know and trust so well.

I want to assure every single parent that we have commenced putting measures in place to correct this serious lapse at our Centre at Belarmine. We will be ensuring that all our current practice and procedure modules are sufficiently robust to avoid this ever being repeated.

As outlined in our statement earlier this week, we are in the process of concluding our response to the HSE investigation. The viewing of the recorded footage today will assist us to finalise our report which we hope to conclude shortly.

On behalf of Giraffe, I once again unreservedly apologise for the distress this issue has caused to the children and parents directly involved in this disturbing breach of standard and of course to all our parents. We will continue to keep them continually informed of developments within the Centre as they occur".

Earlier Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore said he was shocked and disappointed following the allegations of the mishandling and verbal abuse of children at the creches.

And the Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald has moved to reassure parents this evening: