Sharon Keogan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Thank you, Chair. I am in Leinster House.

I thank Mr. Gloster and Dr. Brooks. The plan is primarily concerned with childminders who mind children in their own home and not those who mind children in the child's own home. The plan includes the action to develop information and training resources in relation to those who mind children in the child's home, but what will these actions be and how will this category of childminding be supported? What are the main challenges that will be faced in implementing this plan and what insights have been gained from consulting childminders and organisations working closely with them when devising this plan? Will the plan make the provision of childminding inaccessible to knowledgeable and experienced childminders who have no formal training or qualifications? What impact will the plan have on them? There are three or four questions to start off with.