Kathleen Funchion
Question:620. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the grants system in place for childminders. [36538/20]
View answerTuesday, 17 November 2020
Questions (620)
Written answers
A Childminding Development Grant is available to Tusla-registered childminders, childminders who have voluntarily notified their City/County Childcare Committee, childminders proposing a new childminding service, and childminders who have completed the childminding Quality Awareness Programme. The childminder or potential childminder must mind at least 3 children on a part-time basis or one child on a full-time basis and one part-time. In order to receive the maximum grant available, a childminder must have appropriate insurance and undertake to stay in operation for two years after the date of the grant. The Grant assists childminders with the cost of safety items, equipment, play resources or minor household adaptations.
The Learner Fund bursary for childminders is available for childminders who achieve a level 5 or level 6 major award in early childhood care and education recognised on the National Framework of Qualifications and who are registered with Tusla. Childminders can also avail of the Learner Fund graduate bursary for level 7/8/9 major awards in early learning and care and who are registered with Tusla.
Earlier this year, as part of the Re-opening Funding Package for Childcare Services, the Covid–19 Capital Grant and the Re-opening Support Payment were available for childminders that were in contract for DCEDIY programmes and closed their childminding business on 25 March 2020 due to the Covid–19 pandemic. As part of the Funding Package a Childminding Re-opening Grant was available for childminders who were not in contract for DCEDIY programmes and were ineligible for the Covid-19 Capital Grant or the Re-opening Grant. This Funding Package facilitated the reopening of early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) services from 29 June onwards. This funding supported providers to reopen, staff to remain in the sector, parents to resume work and children to benefit from quality ELC and SAC.