Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
1058. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the compliance and standards that will be required of childminders who seek to participate in the national childcare scheme from September 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48317/23]
View answerThe Childcare Support Act 2018, which provides a statutory basis for the National Childcare Scheme, specifies that only Tusla-registered providers are eligible to participate in the Scheme. The limitation of public funding schemes to Tusla-registered childcare providers helps to ensure that public funding is provided where there is assurance of the quality of provision.
The National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 commits to extending regulation and supports to all paid, non-relative childminders who work in their own homes. The National Action Plan sets out a phased approach to regulation with a preparatory phase followed by an extended transition period, to allow childminders lead-in time for any requirements. This supportive, phased 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 Plan, which began in 2021, involves developing regulations specific and appropriate to childminders, which will come into effect in Phase 2. As the new regulations are not yet in effect, the current regulations – and legal exemptions from regulation for most childminders – will remain in place during Phase 1. Phase 1 allows for consultation, research and development actions, to ensure that the regulations that apply to childminders are appropriate to the home environment, to build the quality support infrastructure required (including expansion of inspectorates and provision of training), and to ensure reforms are based on consultation and research evidence.
A public consultation process will be taking place over the coming months, the results of which will help shape the new, childminder-specific regulations. An Advisory Group on Stakeholder Engagement, Consultation and Communications – which includes childminder representatives – has been formed to support the consultation process.
Phase 1 will be completed when the exemption to registration has been removed from the Child Care Act 1991 and the new childminder-specific regulations have been commenced. All childminders will then be able to register their services and provide parents with access to the National Childcare Scheme. Subject to amendment of the Child Care Act 1991 and the introduction of the new regulations, it is expected that parents who use childminders will be able to benefit from the National Childcare Scheme from autumn 2024.
