Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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60. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the support available to provide for the extension of regulation to childminders in respect of the National Action Plan for Childminding. [28336/21]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The National Action Plan for Childminding, published in April, sets out an incremental and supportive pathway to regulation for non-relative childminders.

Phase 1, which will last 2-3 years, involves preparatory work, including developing new regulations that are specific to childminding, amending legislation, and rolling out Foundation Training.

Phase 2, which will last 3-5 years, will be a transition phase in which a significantly increased number of childminders will be able to register with Tusla and take part in the National Childcare Scheme, while benefiting from training and supports.

Phase 3 will involve full implementation of the Plan, and will include a review of the childminder-specific regulations following initial implementation.

A range of supports will be made available to childminders under this Plan.

A Foundation Training Programme will be developed, as well as a Quality Development Programme, both of which will be specific to childminding and delivered in formats that are suited to childminders.

Staffed local childminding networks led by trained network leaders will be introduced.

Childminders will also be supported to prepare for the reforms by Childminding Development Officers within the City and County Childcare Committees, as well as by Voluntary Childcare Organisations.

There will also be a strong focus on communications, to ensure that childminders and parents are well informed about the changes being made and benefits that will accrue.