The Taoiseach has promised whatever measures necessary to stamp out the activities of children being abused in creches as exposed on 'Prime Time' last night.
Enda Kenny has told the Dáil it was an abuse of responsibility and that these creches should not be an industry as childcare and child protection are professions.
He ha promised progress on the 'Children First' legislation and establishment of the Child and Family Support Agency within weeks. And Mr. Kenny says this will result in real change in the way these creches are regulated and operated.
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The HSE says its inspection reports on individual creches around the country will be made available to the public in the coming months. Last year the Executive managed to inspect 2,644 of the country's 4,758 registered creches.
The programme last night revealed that almost half the creches inspected by the HSE breached regulations on adult/child ratios and staff background checks while over 40% failed to provide a safe environment for children. The documentary also included disturbing footage obtained by an undercover reporter showing children being flung onto mattresses, manhandled, shouted and cursed at and strapped into chairs for hours.
Annie Callinan is the head of the HSE Quality Assurance Child and Family Services. She told Breakfast here on Newstalk that inspection reports which have only been internal up until now will be available to parents this year.
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