Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 February 2026
223. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether she has met with (details supplied) concerning the difficulties childminders face under the new childminding regulations; whether she will consider postponing these regulations to ensure that a framework is developed which protects both childminders and the availability of childcare places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15319/26]
View answer224. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the measures being taken to support childminders during the phased registration period leading to mandatory registration in September 2027; whether the current regulations are sufficiently flexible to ensure home-based childminders can continue to operate without being forced out; the financial assistance, training, guidance, or advisory supports which are available to childminders to meet compliance requirements; the assessment which has been carried out on the impact of these regulations on the retention of experienced childminders and the availability of childcare services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15320/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 223 and 224 together.
The National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 set out a pathway for the extension of regulation to childminders. As a result of the commencement of the relevant parts of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2024 and the Childminding Services Regulations, which came into effect on 30 September 2024, childminders are now able to apply to register with Tusla.
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.
Childminders were consulted on and involved in all aspects of the development of the regulations. Both the Steering Group for the National Action Plan for Childminding, and the Advisory Groups that have supported it, have included childminders, as well as representatives of Childminding Ireland.
In addition, an independent external review of the draft Childminding Regulations was carried out by Dr Bill Maxwell, the former CEO of Education Scotland, former Chief Inspector in both Scotland and Wales, and OECD consultant, which confirmed that the approach was proportionate for childminding in Ireland. This report has been published online and can be found here: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/campaigns/national-action-plan-for-childminding-2021-2028/
The regulation of childminding services is critical to the safeguarding of children. The route to registration under the new regulations requires childminders to undertake pre-registration training, as well as meeting certain regulatory requirements including Garda vetting, proof of insurance, first aid certification and child safeguarding training.
The 2024 Act, under which the timeframes are established, provides for a transition period of three years, to September 2027, before registration becomes mandatory. 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 Department has committed to undertake a review of the initial implementation of the Childminding-specific Regulations during the transition period. The review will commence in 2026 and will include consultation with childminders and other stakeholders.
The timing of the review is crucial. In addition to hearing from childminders who have not yet registered, it is important that the review adequately captures, and benefits from, the experiences of those who have registered and been through the registration process and who have operated within the new Regulations. Those childminders who have registered need time to thoroughly test the Regulations in practice. The number of childminders who have registered will impact upon the thoroughness of this testing also. I aim to meet with Childminding Ireland on a one-to-one basis before the review of the Regulations commences.
Supports are available for childminders at local level through the City and County Childcare Committees. Each City and County Childcare Committee employs a Childminding Development Officer, who provides a range of supports to local childminders, including the short pre-registration training course.
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.
Financial supports are also available; the 2026 Childminding Development Grant opened for applications on the 11 February. The Childminding Development Grant provides up to €1,000 to assist both registered and unregistered childminders who are providing a childminding service in their own homes. The grant aims to support childminders to enhance quality and safety in their service through the purchase of toys, childcare equipment, safety equipment, equipment to support inclusion and Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths (STEM) and the Arts education, as well as IT equipment to assist childminders to engage with training and registration processes. In 2025, the Department paid €413,338 to childminders through the Childminding Development Grant.
Consultation and collaboration with stakeholders is a consistent feature of the work of the Department. Childminders, and childminding representative organisations, including Childminding Ireland, have and continue to be involved in all aspects of the National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028, from drafting through to implementation. As we progress through phase 2 of the National Action Plan for Childminding, we will continue to meet with and consult childminders and childminding representative organisations, working together to overcome issues and challenges.
