Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 October 2022
253. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he expects childminders to be added to the national childcare scheme and therefore those who avail of their services can benefit from the reduction in fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48712/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 sets out a plan for extending State support and regulation to childminding on a phased basis over the coming years. The overall objective of the Action Plan is to improve access to high quality and affordable early learning and care and school-age childcare through childminding.
A key objective of the National Action Plan for Childminding is to enable parents who use childminders to benefit from State subsidies through the National Childcare Scheme. The National Childcare Scheme is only available to providers who are registered with Tusla, which is the statutory regulator for both early learning and care and school-age childcare. Childminders who are currently minding four or more preschool children or seven children of any age, are required to register with Tusla and can access the subsidies for parents.
A programme of actions is already under way during Phase 1 of the National Action Plan for Childminding to support a much wider cohort of childminders to come into the scope of regulation and supports. Actions under way include the development of new, childminder-specific regulations that are proportionate and appropriate to the home environment in which childminders work, as well as the development of new, bespoke training for childminders.
The National Action Plan for Childminding commits to opening the National Childcare Scheme to childminders at the earliest possible opportunity, though it will be necessary first to develop and introduce childminder-specific regulations, and to give childminders adequate time and support to meet regulatory requirements. Phase 1 of the Action Plan, which began in 2021, is expected to take 2 – 3 years to complete.
