Written answers

Wednesday, 22 January 2025

Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Childcare Services

Photo of Cian O'CallaghanCian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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1258. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will review the national childcare scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1551/25]

Photo of Roderic O'GormanRoderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The NCS is designed to substantially reduce costs to families using eligible early learning and childcare. It is designed to be flexible, recognising that early learning and childcare needs are different for each family.

The underpinning rationale of the Scheme, including the hours-based aspect, was set out in the 2016 "Policy Paper on the Development of a new Single Affordable Childcare Scheme" and given statutory expression through the Oireachtas in the Childcare Support Act 2018.

The hours-based nature of the NCS is designed to fit around the needs of families and ensure that the reach and effectiveness of funding is maximised through application to actual usage of early and learning and childcare.

The family agrees the number of hours to be used with their provider and (within overall scheme limits) these hours are registered with the scheme administrator. This design allows the parents to receive a subsidy for the hours that they actually require. The number of hours can also be altered week to week, for example during a school midterm the parents subsidy can be increased.

It should also be noted that services are private entities and it is open to them to decide what level of service is offered to parents including session types (part-time, full-time etc).

Finally, I would note that my Department will soon commence an independent evaluation of the NCS which will examine how the Scheme is operating and identify potential changes or improvements to the Scheme. As part of this evaluation, the hours based model of the NCS will be reviewed. Any changes to NCS policy will be informed by consultation with stakeholders who are affected by the scheme.

Photo of Brian StanleyBrian Stanley (Laois, Independent)
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1259. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will review the current rules regarding registered childminders, who use their own home, having the facility to use someone on their approved emergency contact list in case of a medical appointment, and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1560/25]

Photo of Roderic O'GormanRoderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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On 30 September 2024 I commenced relevant sections of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2024, including the removal of the exemption from registration for childminders, and the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Childminding Regulations) 2024. This allowed for the registration of childminders with Tusla.

This was a milestone in the implementation of the National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 (NAPC). Phase 1 of the NAPC, which is now complete, included extensive consultation. I am satisfied that the childminding-specific Regulations are proportionate and appropriate to the home and family setting in which childminders work. In finalising the Regulations, substantial changes were made in response to feedback in the public consultation last year.

The Act provides for a transition period of three years before registration becomes mandatory. During this three-year period, childminders can 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.

Under the amendments made in the 2024 Act, the definition of a childminding service:

"(a) entails an individual taking care, by himself or herself, of children under the age of 15 years, in the home of the individual, and

(b) is provided to children (other than that individual’s own children) for a total period of not less than 2 hours per day."

In line with this definition, a primary feature of a childminder is that they undertake the work themselves and there are no staff employed in the service.

In developing the Regulations, I acknowledged the need for support in exceptional circumstances and this resulted in the inclusion of Regulation 15 which provides for emergency cover in limited circumstances:

"To assist the childminder in the event of an emergency, a childminder shall ensure that one or more persons, aged 18 years or over, familiar with the operation of the childminding service are, at all times, within close distance of the childminding service and available to attend the childminding service."

This would allow for cover in emergency situations such as where the childminder or a child falls ill and must be taken to hospital. It is not intended to cover medical appointments.

The NAPC commits to a review of the initial implementation of the childminding-specific Regulations before 2028. I have previously stated that the Department will undertake this review, which will include consultation with childminders and other stakeholders, during the transition period.

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