Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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722. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will examine the new regulations for childminders to ensure that they are not leading to increased paperwork for childminders, who want to be spending time with the children they look after rather than sitting doing paperwork; if she will ensure the additional requirements are as straightforward as possible to ensure good childminders are retained in the sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34081/25]

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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724. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide an update on a review into administration for childminders as referenced by her at the Joint Committee meeting on children on 12 June in which she advised that “in terms of red tape, a review is ongoing with a view to minimising it. Our purpose is to make things easier, not more difficult, as we go forward”; where this review is at; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34117/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 722 and 724 together.

The National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 set out a pathway for the extension of regulation 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.

Only Tusla-registered providers are eligible to participate in the Scheme. The limitation of public funding schemes to Tusla-registered providers helps to ensure that public funding is provided where there is assurance of the quality of provision.

The childminding-specific Regulations, which came into effect last September, are designed to be proportionate and appropriate to the home and family setting in which childminders work. The regulations set out the exact requirements as to what is required for registration. This information is also available on Tusla's website.

Childminders now have a three-year transition period (to September 2027) during which they are able to register with Tusla but are not yet required to do so. Once registered with Tusla, a childminder can apply to take part in the National Childcare Scheme.

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.

The National Action Plan commits to a review of the initial implementation of the childminding-specific Regulations before 2028. This review will be broad in scope. My Department has committed to undertake this review (which will include consultation with childminders and other stakeholders) during the three-year transition period which runs to 2027. Following conclusion of this review I will give consideration to the appropriate next steps.

In relation to plans for Administrative and Regulatory Simplification, work is well advanced on the Programme for Government commitment to reduce the administrative burden on providers. On 19 September 2023, plans to develop an Action Plan for Administrative and Regulatory Simplification for the Early Learning and Childcare Sector were announced, supported by a Working Group comprising representatives from the Department, Pobal and the City / County Childcare Committees.

This initiative is being informed by an Advisory Group comprising providers, educators/practitioners and parent representatives, which was convened in December 2023.

Indecon Economic Consultants have completed a review of the end to end processes linked to publicly funded early learning and childcare schemes/programmes and a report will be produced of the findings of this review and the feedback received from over 400 parents, providers, representative bodies and other key sectoral stakeholders at a series of regional consultation events held over May and June 2024.

Both the completed review, and the consultation feedback report are anticipated to be published in the coming weeks and will offer an insight into administrative requirements for the sector, which includes childminders, and the balance of same while continuing to ensure best governance and quality is delivered. This review will be accompanied by a list of immediate actions that are already in train or will be delivered in the coming programme year.

Following further engagement with the Working and Advisory groups, the Action Plan which will outline short-term, medium-term, and long term administrative and regulatory simplification measures will be finalised and published in September.