Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 April 2024
181. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what engagement he has had with the Taoiseach on providing direct supports for childminders in the home and what stage the legislation is at to ensure that pledge by the Taoiseach. [15868/24]
View answerThe 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 National Action Plan, which is nearing completion, requires the amendment of the primary legislation to enable childminders to register with Tusla; the development of new, childminder-specific regulations that are proportionate and appropriate to the home environment in which childminders work; development and roll-out of new, bespoke training for childminders; and re-examining the funding and financial supports available for childminders.
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.
The General Scheme and Heads of Bill of the Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2023 were published in April 2023. The Bill was on the “priority publication” list for the Spring session of the Oireachtas 2024 and it is expected it will be on the ‘priority publication’ list for the Summer 2024 session. The Bill, which amends the Child Care Act 1991, deals with a number of reforms including the removal of the exemption of childminders, allowing for the extension of regulation and supports to all paid, non-relative childminders.
The Department is currently engaging intensively with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel on the priority drafting of the Bill.
Work on the childminding-specific regulations began in 2022. On 8 February I launched the public consultation on the draft regulations. The consultation will close on 2 May and amendments may then be required to the current draft. The amendments to the primary legislation that are currently being drafted include a proposed transition period of three years. In line with the National Action Plan for Childminding, this phased approach is intended to give childminders the time to meet the new regulation and registration requirements that will be put in place.
