Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

917. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her attention has been drawn to concerns raised by members of a representative group (details supplied), specifically in relation to centres that operate out of family homes; the actions she will take to engage with this sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63193/25]

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

In a survey recently published by Childminding Ireland, 393 childminders responded to a question about their intentions for when registration becomes mandatory: 44% said they were "undecided", 32% said they intend to stop childminding, and 24% said they intend to register with Tusla.

While those who responded to the survey and answered the question represent a small proportion of childminders, I fully understand the sense of uncertainty and anxiety childminders may be experiencing in this period of transition.

Significantly, those childminders who answered the same survey and who had already gone through the process of registration reported very positively on their experiences - only 4% described their experience as negative - while less than 1 in 8 of those who had been previously registered and now operate under the new regulations were dissatisfied.

I therefore believe that communications will be essential to addressing many childminders' concerns. A national communications strategy is a key element in phase 2 of the National Action Plan for Childminding during the transition period which lasts until September 2027. Work on this strategy has begun, aiming to inform childminders and parents about the changes, the supports available, and what to expect.

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 various 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 Childminding 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 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 undertake a review of the initial implementation of the Childminding-specific Regulations during the transition period. The review will include consultation with childminders and other stakeholders.

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.