Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I agree with everything the Senator has said. The Minister, Deputy O’Gorman, has told me he is committed to regulating childminders in a way that is appropriate and proportionate and he is committed to ensuring sufficient resources are in place to ensure the path to registration is as supportive as possible.

The national action plan for childminding was underpinned by extensive consultation with childminders and parents. A total of 1,000 inputs were received during the public consultation and these included online surveys, direct submissions and focus groups. Most of those submissions came from childminders and parents. Those submissions have been analysed and the results will be used to inform changes to the regulations. Time and support will be given to all childminders to engage with and understand the regulations and what is being asked of them. The core of this is that it has to be based on listening and consultation. It has to be doable and workable in practice. We will only know that by speaking directly to the childminders and parents involved. We cannot rush something in. We do not want to bring something in that is impractical. At the same time, basic protections for children have to be in place. There have to be some standards and what is being done is not being rushed. It is being done in a respectful and consultative way. I encourage anybody who has any other suggestions to continue to liaise with the Department.