Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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31. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the national childcare scheme will be open to childminders who are not registered with Tusla; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39146/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Childcare Support Act 2018, which provides the statutory basis for the National Childcare Scheme, specifies that the Scheme is only open to Tusla-registered providers. This ensures that public funding is provided where there is assurance of the quality of provision. Therefore, only childminders who are registered with Tusla can offer the National Childcare Scheme to the families that avail of their services.

On 30 September, I commenced the relevant sections of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2024, which included removal of the exemption to registration for childminders. On the same day, I also commenced the Childminding Services Regulations, and Tusla opened their registration process for childminders. In line with the commitments I made in the National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028, all paid, non-relative childminders can now apply to register with Tusla and, once registered with Tusla, take part in the National Childcare Scheme.

The Act also introduces a transition period of three years before registration becomes mandatory. During this three-year period, childminders are able to register with Tusla but are not required to do so. This phased approach aims to facilitate the largest possible number of childminders to enter the regulated sector, the sphere of quality assurance, and access to Government subsidies, while recognising the time and supports required for childminders to learn about and prepare for registration.

During the transition period, supports are available for childminders at local level through the City and County Childcare Committees. Childminders who wish to learn more about registration and the National Childcare Scheme should contact the Childminding Development Officer in their local City / County Childcare Committee. Contact details are available www.myccc.ie