Joe Cooney (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

751. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of childminders who have registered in County Clare to the end of October 2025; the number of people in County Clare who have completed the Children First E-Learning Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65136/25]

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

In County Clare, 5 Childminding Services were recorded as registered with Tusla at the end of September 2025, and a total of 26 people have completed the pre-registration training to date.

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.

The National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 set out a pathway for the extension of registration to childminders who work in their own homes. 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.

The regulation of childminding services is critical to the safeguarding of children. The route to registration under the new regulations requires childminders to undertake pre-registration training, as well as meeting certain regulatory requirements including Garda vetting, first aid certification and child safeguarding training.

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.

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 delivery of the short pre-registration training course.