Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North-Central, Fianna Fail)
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571. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of childminders who have registered with TUSLA and are part of the national childcare scheme, since the expansion of the scheme to include childminders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50302/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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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 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 are designed to be proportionate and appropriate to the home and family setting in which childminders work.

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.

As of the end of August 2025 there were 136 childminders registered with Tusla. 109 Tusla-registered childminders currently have a National Childcare Scheme contract.

During the transition period, supports for registration 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.

Supports available include a short pre-registration training course (delivered at local level through the City and County Childcare Committees) as well as the Childminding Development Grant. The annual Grant scheme provides up to €1,000 to assist both registered and unregistered childminders who are providing a childminding service in their own homes. The Grant aims to support childminders to enhance quality and safety in their service.