Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The affordable child care scheme Bill is on the new legislative programme. The aim of the Bill is to ensure that all childminders would be registered with Tusla. Five counties in the country have no childminders registered with Tusla which means the proposed legislation will be inoperable. The proposal would put undue hardship on people who have cared very well for children, their own and others, in their own home or the children's home. I support crèches and child care groups as well but in this case I refer to people who are caring for their neighbour's children, or other children, in their own home and doing so properly and above board. Now they will be compelled to register with Tusla but I do not know if Tusla has the staff required to regulate the area. If the legislation is introduced the matter will become a significant one.

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