Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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580. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of personnel employed as childminding advisory officers; and the locations in which they are based. [24743/20]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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There are 6 personnel employed as Childminding Development Officers to support work with childminders at a regional and local level. The positions are hosted in the Cavan, Cork, Fingal, Galway, Kilkenny and Westmeath County Childcare Committees. However, the posts are regional in scope, and each of the 6 Childminding Development Officers provides support to a number of City and County Childcare Committees in a region. Together, therefore, they offer full national coverage of support for the work that each City and County Childcare Committee does to support childminders in its county / city area. The Childminding Development Officer posts were first introduced in 2019 to help the City and County Childcare Committees to support childminders to meet regulatory requirements and register with Tusla, and to support implementation of the forthcoming Childminding Action Plan.

Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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581. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the position of National Childminding Coordinator is currently filled. [24744/20]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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My Department appointed a National Childminding Coordinator in 2019 to oversee supports for childminders - including supports delivered through the City and County Childcare Committees - and to assist in the development and initial implementation of the forthcoming Childminding Action Plan. The National Childminding Coordinator position remains filled.