Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 May 2026
194. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when the review into childminding regulations will commence; her views on the low level of registrations from childminders to date; her views on how this can be addressed ahead of the September 2027 deadline so that valuable childminders are not lost from the sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35563/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
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.
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.
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.
As of end-Feb 2026, 166 childminders were registered with Tusla, and 718 childminders have completed the Pre-Registration Training.
The Department has committed to undertake a review of the initial implementation of the Childminding-specific Regulations during the transition period. The review will include consultation with childminders and other stakeholders. The review will provide an important opportunity to learn lessons from initial experiences with the regulations.
As I have said previously, the review will commence as early as possible in 2026. 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.
The Steering Group for the National Action Plan for Childminding, which includes individual childminders as well as representatives of Childminding Ireland, met on 24 March, when they reviewed plans for the Review of the Initial Implementation of the Childminding Regulations, which we hope to commence in the coming weeks.
I believe that communications will be essential to addressing many childminders' concerns and to increasing the levels of registration. The Steering Group also reviewed a new draft communications plan devised to strengthen engagement and registration of childminders. Work to realise this plan has commenced.
