Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 107: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if an applicant can provide a service (details supplied) under childcare legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9481/09]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Child Care Act 1991 provides for the making of Regulations for the purpose of securing the health, safety and welfare and promoting the development of pre-school children attending pre-school services. The Child Care (Pre-School Services) (No. 2) Regulations 2006 came into effect in 2007 and currently govern the provision of pre-school services.

A pre-school service offered by a person who single-handedly takes care of pre-school children, including the childminder's children, in the childminder's home for a total of more than 2 hours a day is regarded as a childminding service for the purposes of the Child Care Regulations. In general, where more than three children are being taken care of, the childminder is required to notify his or her service to the HSE and is subject to the Regulations and to inspection.

The National Guidelines for childminders have also been published to support childcare providers who choose to mind children in their own home. A copy of these Guidelines and also the Regulations can be obtained from the Government Publications Sales Office or from the Childcare Directorate in the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.