Anne Rabbitte
Question:89. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of the efforts by her Department to create more effective and appropriate childminding regulations. [43242/19]
View answerTuesday, 22 October 2019
Questions (89)
Written answers
On 29th August, I launched the Draft Childminding Action Plan, for the purpose of public consultation. The Draft Childminding Action Plan aims to bring all childminders within the scope of public funding, supports, and regulations. Up to now most childminders have been exempt from regulation and therefore would be excluded from public funding such as the National Childcare Scheme.
Central to the Draft Childminding Action Plan is a proposal to develop new Regulations that are specific to childminders and that are proportionate and appropriate to the home and family setting in which childminders work.
The Draft Action Plan is firmly based on the recommendations of the Working Group on Reforms and Supports for the Childminding Sector, which I established in 2016 and which submitted its report to me last year. The Working Group was chaired by a representative of childminders indicating my commitment to putting childminders front and centre of decisions on their future and the future of the service they offer children and families.
The Draft Action Plan proposes a phased approach over a period of years, with access to the National Childcare Scheme to be opened to childminders as early as possible, and with a significant lead-in time for any requirements being introduced.
A substantial consultation process is under way and this will inform the regulations. The process has a strong focus on hearing from childminders as I am keen to get their feedback on the proposals set out in the Draft Action Plan. An online survey and call for submissions opened at the end of August. An Open Policy Debate aimed at a wide range of stakeholders, including childminders, took place on 16th October. A series of focus groups of childminders, all taking place in the evenings to facilitate the participation of childminders, is being organised at county level by County Childcare Committees from late October into November.
Once the consultation process has been completed, and the feedback has been taken on board, I intend to bring a revised Childminding Action Plan to Government, with the intention of publishing a completed plan in the coming months. Work will then immediately advance on the new regulations.