Sean Fleming
Ceist:35. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the financial supports that are available for childminders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46781/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 23 June 2026
Ceisteanna (35)
Freagraí scríofa
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 2026, the Department paid €422,240 to childminders through the Childminding Development Grant.
Shaping the Future: the Early Years Action Plan, Phase 1 Report, published in 2025, makes clear that childminding remains central to the Government's vision for the future of early learning and care and school-age childcare. Shaping the Future sets out an ambitious process of reform to benefit children, families, and those working in the sector.
Shaping the Future involves a phased approach. The Phase 1 Report commits to actions in 2026 to make services more affordable, accessible and improve quality, while a consultation process will be undertaken during 2026 to inform the development of Phase 2 actions for the years 2027-2029.
The Phase 1 Report includes a commitment to restructure the Core Funding pilot for registered childminders, noting that the Core Funding pilot aims to strengthen childminders' sustainability while helping parents to benefit from the fee-freeze and fee-caps. Further information will be issued later in 2026.