Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
Link to this: Individually | In context

856. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her attention has been drawn to a press release issued by an organisation (details supplied) articulating a crisis in the sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61313/25]

Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

874. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her plans to address the issues raised by an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61507/25]

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

889. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will address the issues raised in a document from a Kildare childminding facility outlining their concerns about the childminding sector (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61755/25]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 856, 874 and 889 together.

I am aware that many childminders, when asked about their intention to register, report that they are undecided, while some say they intend to stop childminding. I fully understand the sense of uncertainty and anxiety childminders may be experiencing in this period of transition and I believe communication is essential to overcoming this. A national communications strategy is a key element in phase 2 of the National Action Plan for Childminding, during the transition period we are now in. Work on this communications strategy has begun, aiming to inform childminders and parents about the changes, supports available and what to expect.

Childminders are a hugely important part of early learning and care and school-age childcare provision, and they continue to be the option of choice for many families. I am firmly behind the regulation of childminding services, which is critical to the safeguarding of children.

I am heartened to that see that in the recent survey carried out by Childminding Ireland, those childminders who have already been through the registration process and are working under the new regulations, report their experience as positive - with very few giving negative reports.

The childminding-specific Regulations, which came into effect in September 2024, are designed to be proportionate and appropriate to the home and family setting in which childminders work.

Childminders were consulted on and involved in all aspects of the development of the regulations.

Both the Steering Group for the National Action Plan for Childminding, and the Advisory Groups that have supported it, have included childminders, as well as representatives of Childminding Ireland.

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.

We are now in a 3-year transition period (to September 2027) during which childminders are being encouraged and supported to register, but registration is not yet 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.

The Department has committed to a review of the initial implementation of the childminding-specific Regulations during the 3-year 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 Childminding Development Grant provides up to €1,000 to assist both registered and unregistered childminders who are providing a childminding service in their own homes. In 2025, the Department has paid €413,338 to childminders through the Childminding Development Grant. A further round of the Grant will open in early 2026.