Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 November 2016
48. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps her Department is taking to assist childminders registering with Tusla; the supports available to childminders who have registered; and if her Department is reviewing the current criteria for those registering as childminders. [33540/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the best interests of children (and families) the new Single Affordable Childcare Scheme intends to make subsidies payable to services that are quality assured. Currently Tusla provides quality assurance for childcare services under the statutory registration and inspection regime.
Childminders who mind three or fewer pre-school children in the childminder's own home are exempt from the Child Care Regulations, and are thus not subject to inspection by Tusla. In order to meet the needs of parents whose preference is to use a childminder, and to build capacity to cater for increased demand in future years, the Department has commenced talks with Childminding Ireland (CMI) in recent months to explore a number of options around how quality can be assured within the childminding sector.
A working group has been established, chaired by CMI, and including officials from Tusla and the DCYA, to make recommendations on reforms for the sector including proposals in relation to quality assurance, whether on a voluntary/non-statutory basis in the short term, or on a mandatory/statutory basis in the long term. These will include recommendations in relation to childminders who are exempt from registration with Tusla (those minding three or fewer pre-school children, or those minding school age children only). The recommendations received are likely to include proposals to be progressed in the short, medium and long term, including the development of National Quality Standards for childminders and a proportionate system of quality assurance and regulation.
