Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 October 2022
254. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will introduce alternative ways for those parents who utilise a childminder to avail of the reduction in childcare fees announced in Budget 2023 while parents wait for childminders to be added to the national childcare scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48713/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Childcare Support Act 2018, which provides a statutory basis for the National Childcare Scheme, specifies that only Tusla-registered providers are eligible to participate. This limitation of public funding schemes to Tusla-registered providers helps to ensure that public funding is provided where there is assurance of the quality of provision.
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. While only a small number of childminders are currently required to register with Tusla under the Child Care Act 1991, it is intended that the National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 will result in the opening up of the National Childcare Scheme to a much wider cohort of childminders.
A programme of actions is already under way during Phase 1 of the National Action Plan for Childminding to support 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. Actions are also being undertaken through City / County Childcare Committees (including the Childminding Development Officers) and through the National Voluntary Childcare Organisations to support childminders who can already register with Tusla to do so and to access National Childcare Scheme subsidies.
