Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 June 2021
1028. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on matters raised by a person (details supplied) in respect of their concerns on the future viability of private childminding services in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32074/21]
View answerMy Department developed a National Action Plan for Childminding which was published in April 2021. The Action Plan aims to improve access, through childminding, to high quality and affordable childcare. The Action Plan sets out a pathway over the next 8 years towards regulation, support and subsidies for all paid, non-relative childminders. The Action Plan will involve change and will bring significant benefits for childminders, and for the children and the families using their services.
The Steering Group for the National Action Plan will be established shortly, to drive, oversee and monitor implementation of the National Action Plan. The Steering Group will be supported by four Advisory Groups in relation to: regulation and inspection; training and support; funding and financial supports; and consultation and communications.
In relation to the viability of childminding services, the National Action Plan has a specific objective of supporting the retention and recruitment of childminders. A key feature of the Action Plan is that, through extending registration and regulation to childminders, it will enable childminders to take part in the National Childcare Scheme and also to avail of a range of funding and other supports. Importantly, the National Action Plan commits to developing childminder-specific regulations that are proportionate and appropriate to the home and family setting in which childminders work.
In terms of the involvement of childminders in decision-making on issues that affect them, the National Action Plan commits to representation of childminders, parents and other key stakeholders on the Steering Group, which will be chaired by my Department. Additionally the National Action Plan commits to representation of childminders on all four Advisory Groups.
The National Action Plan itself was based on extensive consultation and engagement with childminders, and the blueprint for the National Action Plan was the 2018 report of the Working Group on Reforms and Supports for the Childminding Sector, which was coordinated and chaired by Childminding Ireland. The National Action Plan commits to further consultation with childminders, especially during Phase 1 of the Plan when developing regulations specific to childminders.
