The JobsPlus scheme is administered by the Department of Social Protection and my Department has no role or function in determining the eligibility criteria for this; however it is clear that childcare is a cross-cutting issue and I have worked continuously with my colleagues in Government to ensure alignment of policy and strategy. The Inter-Departmental Working Group on Future Investment in Childcare in Ireland included representation from the Department of Social Protection and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. The report of the Inter Departmental Working Group, published in July 2015, made a number of recommendations in relation to childminders, and highlighted that greater supports and incentives may be required. Work is continuing in my Department on foot of this report.
As regards childcare provided in the home, a number of supports are currently in place for childminders. For example, my Department provides annual funding of €340,000 to Childminding Ireland. It also funds childminding development grants, amounting to €250,000 in total, which are distributed annually by the county child care committees, CCCs. In addition, childminders taking care of three or fewer children under the age of 18 may be entitled to avail of the child care services relief from the Revenue Commissioners, provided their annual childminding income comes to no more than €15,000.
