Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputies Funchion and Mitchell. I certainly agree with their intentions and sentiment but the aim of the proposed amendment is effectively already provided for in the Bill and as a result, I am not accepting the amendment. Let me explain. The definition of “childcare services provider” in section 1 is a "provider of a pre-school service or a school age service whose name is entered in the register of prescribed early years services established and maintained in accordance with section 58C of the Child Care Act 1991". Every childminder registered with Tusla is named on the register established under section 58C of the 1991 Act and is therefore already included within the definition of "childcare services provider" for the purposes of this Bill. Every childminder registered with Tusla who signs a contract with the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs under section 8 of this Bill would therefore be an approved child care services provider for the purposes of the scheme. While I am pleased to assure the Deputies that the Bill will allow all registered childminders to take part in the affordable child care scheme - which is what I am indicating - I am also conscious that very few childminders are currently registered with Tusla.

The Deputy is aware than in 2016 I established a working group to examine future options for the regulation and development of childminding. The working group, which was chaired by Childminding Ireland, submitted its report to me on 15 January. I subsequently met representatives of the working group. Following that very positive meeting, my Department is currently considering the report with a view to developing an action plan setting out short, medium and long-term actions.