Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I concur with much of what Deputy Ó Caoláin has said. The Minister spoke about the need for greater encouragement for childminders to come forward and register themselves and to avail of the supports available. My colleague, Deputy Harris, has outlined the dismally low number of childminders who have come forward out of the approximately 50,000 child minders in the country. This is not an issue we can afford to ignore any longer. It is critical we deal with the issue. A lower standard should not be put in place for smaller commercial operations, regardless of the number of children being minded.

I see it as a wasted opportunity that the bull is not being taken by the horns and we are not including this sector in the legislation. I urge the Minister to reconsider this for Report Stage. People talk about parents who, to the best of their ability, check the background of their childminder and ensure they get character references before placing their children with a childminder. However, sometimes this system can fail. We are putting a severe responsibility back on parents and need to take another look at that. It is also in the interest of childminders to have the added protection of knowing they have been vetted and that their business is regulated and fit for purpose for service users.