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For Oral Answer on : 18/12/2025
Question Number(s): 7 Question Reference(s): 73088/25
Department: Children, Disability and Equality
Asked by: Joe Cooney T.D.
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QUESTION
To ask the Minister for Children; Disability and Equality if she is satisfied that the number of childminding services registered with Tusla, and the numbers of childminders undertaking the pre-registration training, will be sufficient to meet the future demand in Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
REPLY
Childminders are a hugely important part of early learning and care and school-age childcare provision, and they continue to be the option of choice for many families.
The National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 set out a pathway for the extension of regulation to childminders. 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 Childcare Support Act 2018, which provides a statutory basis for the National Childcare Scheme, specifies that only Tusla-registered childminders are eligible to participate in the Scheme. The 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.
It must be noted that Childminding Regulations only came into effect in September 2024, with a statutory transition period of three years ending in September 2027. Registration is therefore not mandatory until the end of this transition period.
This phased approach aims to facilitate the largest possible number of childminders to enter the regulated sector, the sphere of quality assurance, and access to Government subsidies, while recognising the time and supports required for childminders to learn about and prepare for registration.
The childminding-specific Regulations are designed to be proportionate and appropriate to the home and family setting in which childminders work. The regulations differ substantially from regulations for centre-based childcare.
While the Department has successfully completed Phase 1 of the National Action Plan, considerable work lies ahead during Phase 2, in supporting the large number of unregistered childminders to register with Tusla and take part in the National Childcare Scheme before the end of the transition period, in County Clare and right around the country.
I fully understand the sense of uncertainty and anxiety childminders may be experiencing in this period of transition and I believe communication is essential to overcoming this. A national communications strategy is a key element in Phase 2 of the National Action Plan for Childminding, during the transition period we are now in. Work on this communications strategy has begun, aiming to inform childminders and parents about the changes, supports available and what to expect.
The Department has committed to a review of the initial implementation of the Childminding-specific Regulations in Phase 2 also. I aim to meet with Childminding Ireland on a one-to-one basis before the review of the Regulations commences.
Yesterday I published “Shaping the Future”, the Early Years Action Plan, Phase 1 Report. The Action Plan commits to restructuring the Core Funding pilot for registered childminders during 2026. The Core Funding pilot aims to strengthen childminders’ sustainability while helping parents to benefit. I will announce more details of the restructuring of the pilot during 2026.
The Department also provides funding to the City and County Childcare Committees to ensure there is a Childminding Development Officer employed by every City and County Childcare Committee. Childminding Development Officers are responsible for delivering the pre-registration training and providing supports to childminders at local level.
We all have a role to play. I would encourage any childminder who is uncertain or worried about the new regulations to contact their local Childcare Committee. The Childminding Development Officers are there to provide the most up-to-date, accurate information, and to guide and support childminders at every step of the journey.