Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

320. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of childcare providers in Dublin that are eligible for core funding; the number that signed up for core funding in 2024 and 2025; the number that have applied for a fee adjustment for 2024 and 2025; the number of those successful, rejected or pending a decision; the number of crèches that have appealed the decision, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7068/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Core Funding represents a significant increase in investment for the sector, with €259 million of funding paid directly to services in year 1 of the scheme (September 2022-August 2023) rising to €287 million in year 2 (September 2023-August 2024) and €331 million in year 3 (September 2024-August 2025).

Data on Core Funding uptake and the Fee Increase Assessment process is broken down by City/County Childcare Committee areas in Dublin as follows; Dublin City, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal and South Dublin.

The Core Funding Programme Year operates from September to August.

The table below outlines the Core Funding uptake in Dublin City, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal and South Dublin for Programme Year 2 2023/24 as of 4 June 2024.

The table below outlines the Core Funding uptake in Dublin City, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal and South Dublin for Programme Year 3 2024/25 as of 17 February 2025.

The table below outlines the number of providers, as of the 18 February 2025, that have applied for FIA 2024/2025; the number of those successful, rejected or pending a decision and the number that have appealed the decision.

*Please Note: The applications number is the amount of services who fully completed their application and does not include services who only declared an interest, or submitted a self-declaration form.

James Geoghegan (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

321. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she agrees that childcare providers’ administrative burden is too high; if she will detail the steps she will take to alleviate that burden, particularly for smaller providers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7109/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

An Action Plan for Administrative and Regulatory Simplification is being developed, informed by an independent review of end-to-end processes linked to publicly funded ELC/SAC programmes/schemes. There is also a Programme for Government commitment to reduce the administrative burden on providers.

This initiative is being supported by a Working Group comprising representatives from the Department, Pobal and the CCC and is being informed by an Advisory Group comprising providers, educator/practitioner and parent representatives, which was convened in December 2023.

Indecon Economic Consultants are currently reviewing the end to end processes linked to publicly funded ELC/SAC schemes/programmes. The review (once completed) will, inter alia, offer an insight into administrative and regulatory requirements for the sector and the balance of same while continuing to ensure best governance and quality is delivered.

The review is expected to conclude by end Q1 2025. The Action Plan which will outline short-term, medium-term, and long term administrative and regulatory simplification measures will be finalised and published after the conclusion of the review.

James Geoghegan (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

322. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps she will take to implement the Programme for Government commitment to extend the national childcare scheme to childminders working in the family home, with sensible regulations that fit homebased care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7110/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Childcare Support Act 2018, which provides a statutory basis for the National Childcare Scheme, specifies that only Tusla-registered providers are eligible to participate in the Scheme. The limitation of public funding schemes to Tusla-registered childcare providers helps to ensure that public funding is provided where there is assurance of the quality of provision.

The National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028, launched in April 2021, set out a pathway for the extension of registration to childminders. A key objective of the National Action Plan for Childminding is to enable parents who use childminders to benefit from State subsidies through the National Childcare Scheme. As a result of the commencement of the relevant parts of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2024 and the Childminding Services Regulations, which came into effect on 30 September 2024, childminders are now able to apply to register with Tusla and can therefore also take part in the National Childcare Scheme.

This was a milestone in the implementation of the National Action Plan for Childminding. Phase 1 of the National Action Plan for Childminding, which is now complete, included extensive consultation with childminders, parents and other stakeholders. The childminding-specific Regulations, which were initially developed by the Regulation and Inspection Advisory Group, whose stakeholder membership includes childminders and Childminding Ireland, 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.

In addition, an independent external review of the draft regulations was carried out by Dr Bill Maxwell, the former CEO of Education Scotland, former Chief Inspector in both Scotland and Wales, and OECD consultant, which confirmed that the approach was proportionate for childminding in Ireland.

The 2024 Act provides for a transition period of three years before registration becomes mandatory. 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. Each City and County Childcare Committee employs a Childminding Development Officer, who provides a range of supports to local childminders, including a short pre-registration training course. A Childminding Development Grant is also currently open for applications, through the City and County Childcare Committees.