Galway East TD Anne Rabbitte has expressed her shock and horror at the conditions in Hyde & Seek créches which were documented on RTÉ Investigates last night.
The programme exposed many instances of bad practice at the Hyde & Seek creches, owned by Anne Davy.
The Galway TD said that it was concerning for anyone who has a child in a childcare facility, and that that parents should have no doubts about the care their children are receiving.
She also said that it was worrying that the creche was in operation from January 2018, but not registered with Tusla until March 2019 after being taken to court.
Prior to this, they had not been subjected to checks and regulations.
Speaking after last night’s programme, Anne Rabbitte TD commented: “The company owner, Anne Davy, had previous convictions dating back as far as 2004 relating to child care services.
“Despite this she passed Tusla regulations to remain in a management role in a childcare organisation.
“I also have grave concerns over fire safety regulations not being monitored by local authorities at crèches. It’s important that there are regular inspections to make sure owners are adhering to regulations at all times and aren’t, as we saw tonight, changing room layouts, which then put children and staff at risk.”
The Fianna Fail TD said that Minister Zappone cannot ignore the findings from this investigation.
“Tusla were aware of non-compliance within Hyde & Seek créches but continued to allow them to provide childcare services,” she added.
“I intend to write to the Chair and Clerk of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Children and Youth Affairs asking them to hold a special sitting of the Committee to discuss this matter, and to request Tusla’s attendance at this session so that we can hear what steps it will be taking to ensure that such a breach of trust and responsibility does not recur within the childcare sector.”
