Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2023
858. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated number of children being cared for in the private home of the carer; the number of applications which have been made for the interim support to such carers; and what steps need to be taken before these carers could be included within the supports of the national childcare scheme. [40352/23]
View answerThe National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 defines a childminder as a self-employed person, working in their own home, caring for children, at least one of whom is not related to them. Childminders who are currently minding four or more preschool children or seven children of any age, are required to register with Tusla and can already access National Childcare Scheme subsidies for parents. While only a small number of childminders are currently required to register with Tusla under the Child Care Act 1991, it is intended that the National Action Plan for Childminding will result in the opening up of the National Childcare Scheme to a much wider cohort of childminders. Data from Census 2022 indicates that nearly 53,000 children (aged under 15 years old) are currently cared for by childminders.
The main route through which parents are subsidised for their early learning and childcare costs is the National Childcare Scheme. The Childcare Support Act 2018, which provides a statutory basis for the National Childcare Scheme, specifies that only Tusla-registered providers are eligible to participate in the Scheme. The limitation of public funding schemes to Tusla-registered childcare providers helps to ensure that public funding is provided where there is assurance of the quality of provision.
The National Action Plan for Childminding sets out a plan for extending State support and regulation to childminding on a phased basis, with accelerated access to subsidies for families who use childminders through the National Childcare Scheme. The National Action Plan for Childminding commits to opening the National Childcare Scheme to non-relative childminders at the earliest possible opportunity, though it will be necessary first to develop and introduce childminder-specific regulations, and to give childminders adequate time and support to meet regulatory requirements.
The National Action Plan sets out a phased approach with a preparatory phase followed by an extended transition phase, to allow childminders a lead-in time for any requirements. This supportive, phased transition process 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 this reform.
Phase 1 of the Plan, which began in 2021, involves preparatory work, putting in place the building blocks of this major reform. Phase 1, which is expected to take 3 years to complete, includes developing new regulations and training that are specific to childminding, amending legislation, rolling out training, further research on costs and on ways to support childminders most effectively, and re-examining the funding and financial supports available for childminders.
