Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 July 2026
348. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of childminders registered or engaged with the National Action Plan for Childminding in Cork city and county; the steps being taken to increase the number of regulated childminding places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53769/26]
View answerAs of end-May 2026, 17 childminders were registered with Tusla, and 73 childminders have completed the Pre-Registration Training in Cork City and County.
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 2024 Act, under which the timeframes are established, provides for a transition period of three years, to September 2027, after which registration is due to become 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 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.
I am aware that the rate of registration thus far has been lower than expected. It is for that reason that I asked officials in the Department to undertake a review of the regulations in advance of the conclusion of the transition period, to understand what barriers may exist, and to address them in a timely fashion.
The review of the initial implementation of the childminding regulations, which will be managed by an external company, launched on June 19 with an open call for submissions. The review will include consultation with childminders and other stakeholders and will provide an important opportunity to learn lessons from initial experiences with the regulations.
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.
A consultation survey will follow the call for submissions, in addition to focus groups, stakeholder interviews, and case studies. The scope of the review is broader than initially outlined in the National Action Plan for Childminding and will now also examine the effectiveness of supports made available to assist with the registration of childminders, as well as examining the barriers to registration and regulatory compliance, including financial and information barriers.
I would encourage every childminder to have their say and participate in the review. Further information can be found here: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/consultations/lets-talk-childminding/
I believe that communications will be essential to addressing many childminders' concerns and to increasing the levels of registration, a communications campaign has commenced which will increase in pace and visibility as we move through the review stages and as the transition period advances.
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 has questions or concerns 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.
