Seán Sherlock
Question:45. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress being made to regularise childminders into Government supports. [15718/23]
View answerThursday, 30 March 2023
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The National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 commits to extending regulation and supports to paid, non-relative childminders who work in their own homes over the coming years. The National Action Plan sets out a phased approach with a preparatory phase followed by an extended transition phase, to allow childminders a lead-in time for any requirements. This supportive, phased transition process 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 this reform.
Phase 1 of the National Action Plan, which began in 2021 and is expected to take 2 – 3 years to complete, involves detailed planning and putting in place the building blocks for the transition. Phase 1 also includes developing and rolling out training that is specific to childminders, further research on costs and on ways to support childminders most effectively, and re-examining the funding and financial supports available for childminders.
A Steering Group was formed in 2021 to oversee implementation. The Steering Group includes representation of childminders, parents and other key stakeholders. The Steering Group is supported by four Advisory Groups (membership of which also includes representation of childminders and parents) in relation to: regulation and inspection; training and support; funding and financial supports; and stakeholder engagement, consultation and communications. The Steering Group's first annual progress report was published on my Department’s website in February.
In line with the commitments in the National Action Plan, in January I secured Government approval to proceed with plans to remove the exemption in the Child Care Act 1991 from non-relative childminders who care for children in the childminders’ home. To bring all childminders within the scope of registration and subsidies requires amendment of this Act. This legislative change will allow us to introduce new, childminder-specific regulations. A number of consultations with childminders will be taking place over the coming months, the results of which will help to shape the draft regulations.