Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 May 2020
1116. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated cost of extending the six childminding development officer positions with a dedicated officer employed by each city and county childcare committee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4927/20]
View answerThe Department of Children and Youth Affairs recruited a National Childminding Coordinator in 2019 who put in place a team of 6 Childminding Development Officers within City and County Childcare Committees around the country, with a regional remit. The Officers work with all 30 City and County Childcare Committees to prepare the childminding sector for the move towards wider regulation and in the immediate term to support childminders who are subject to the current regulations but are not yet registered with Tusla to meet Tusla registration requirements, thus enabling more childminders to take part in the National Childcare Scheme. The cost of these posts is in the region of €400,000 per annum, which includes costs for salaries, PRSI, travel and subsistence, and overheads.
The cost of increasing the number of Childminding Development Officer positions to 30, with a dedicated Officer employed by each of the 30 City and County Childcare Committees, would be in the region of an additional €1.6 million per annum.
