Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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560. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the childminding steering group; and when the group is expected to publish its report. [51274/22]

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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561. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will release the minutes from the childminding steering group meetings. [51275/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 560 and 561 together.

The National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 sets out a plan for extending State support and regulation to childminding on a phased basis over the coming years. The overall objective of the Action Plan is to improve access to high quality and affordable early learning and care and school-age childcare through childminding. The National Action Plan can be found at www.gov.ie/childminding.

A Steering Group was formed in September 2021 to drive, oversee and monitor implementation of the commitments published in the National Action Plan.The Steering Group is chaired by my Department and includes representation of childminders, parents and other key stakeholders. The Steering Group is supported by four Advisory Groups (membership of which includes representation of childminders, parents and other key stakeholders) in relation to: regulation and inspection; training and support; funding and financial supports; and stakeholder engagement, consultation and communications.

The roles of the Steering Group include: providing strategic direction for the National Action Plan, drawing on the advice of the Advisory Groups, and drawing on any consultation and research that the Steering Group deems necessary; advising my Department on policy, regulatory and budgetary measures that may be needed to ensure effective implementation of the National Action Plan; monitoring identified and emerging risks, and identifying measures to mitigate risks. The Steering Group meets at least 4 times per year.

The Steering Group is required to submit an annual progress report to myself. I am looking forward to receiving the Steering Group's first annual progress report over the coming months.

The minutes of the meetings of the Steering Group are published on my Department's website. They can be viewed at www.gov.ie/en/publication/dc71a-latest-news-information-upcoming-events/.