Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2026
804. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of childminders who have completed the children first course as part of the childminding registration process to date in 2026, by month, in tabular form. [45828/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 set out a pathway for the extension of regulation to childminders. The childminding-specific Regulations, which came into effect in September 2024, are designed to be proportionate and appropriate to the home and family setting in which childminders work.
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.
We are currently in a 3-year transition period, to September 2027, during which childminders are being encouraged and supported to register, but registration is not yet 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-April 2026, 175 childminders were registered with Tusla. All 175 have completed the ‘Introduction to Children First’ e-learning programme, uploading their certificate of completion as part of the registration process. This universal e-learning programme was developed by Tusla, the Department of Children, Equality and Disability and the Health Service Executive to support people of all backgrounds and experience in recognising concerns about children and reporting such concerns if they arise. The e-learning programme is available on []www.tusla.ie/.
The breakdown of childminders who have completed registration processes, to date in 2026, by month, can be found in the table below:
|
Month |
Number of Childminders |
|
January |
39 |
|
February |
6 |
|
March |
10 |
|
April |
2 |
