Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 October 2023
536. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of people who applied for the childminder development grant advertised in June 2023; whether he was satisfied with the take-up; and if he plans to extend or develop this type of scheme in 2024. [42426/23]
View answerThe Childminding Development Grants have been available to childminders since 2004 to help childminders enhance quality and safety in their service through the purchase of toys, childcare equipment, safety equipment, and equipment to support inclusion and learning.
The National Action Plan for Childminding 2021 – 2028 committed to review and reform of the Grant. Following this review, and in line with recommendations from a childminding Advisory Group established under the National Action Plan, a number of changes were made to the Grant in 2023.
These changes resulted in the number of applications exceeding the funds initially available to the scheme for the first time. The original budget for grants in 2023 was €250,000. There were a total of 345 applications in 2023 for a total of €337,341. This represents a 62% increase in applications and the highest number of applications ever received.
I was delighted to be able to make additional funding available so that every successful applicant could be awarded the full amount.
The review of the Childminding Development Grant will continue in 2024. In parallel with enhancements to the Childminding Development Grant, my Department continues to progress other actions in Phase 1 of the National Action Plan for Childminding, including the drafting of childminder-specific regulations that will be proportionate and appropriate to the home and family setting in which childminders work.
Once introduced, the childminder-specific regulations will enable a much wider cohort of childminders and parents to benefit from the National Childcare Scheme. The drafting of childminder-specific regulations, and associated legislative reform, is under way at present, and consultation on the draft regulations will take place in the coming months.
