Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 September 2021
501. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated cost of recruiting 12 additional full-time childminding development officers in tabular form. [43403/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department recruited a National Childminding Coordinator in 2019, who put in place a team of 6 Childminding Development Officers within City and County Childcare Committees around the country, with a regional remit. The Officers work with all 30 City and County Childcare Committees to prepare the childminding sector for the move towards wider regulation and support, and in the immediate term to help childminders to engage with current supports (such as the Childminding Development Grant) and to meet Tusla registration requirements, thus enabling more childminders to take part in the National Childcare Scheme. The cost of these posts is in the region of €400,000 per annum, which includes costs for salaries, PRSI, travel and subsistence, and overheads.
The cost of recruiting 12 additional full-time Childminding Development Officers would be in the region of an additional €800,000 per annum.
