652. Deputy Daniel Ennis asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of childminders who have registered with Tusla under the new regulations for childminders; the figure as a percentage of the number of childminders operating in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51226/26]

As of end-May 2026, 179 childminders were registered with Tusla.

There is considerable lack of clarity about the number of children cared for by childminders, and the total number of childminders working in Ireland today. This reflects both the lack of administrative data on childminders not registered with Tusla, and the fact that the term ‘childminder’ in some surveys may be used either of someone working in the childminder’s home or of someone working in the child’s home (i.e. a nanny or au pair).

Census 2022 indicated that 15.9% (52,775) of children under 15 years who were in childcare were cared for by non-relative childminders working in the childminder’s home. The number of families affected is smaller than this, as many families have more than one child attending a childminding service.

A survey of Childminding Ireland members completed prior to the publication of the National Action Plan for Childminding indicated that on average childminders working in their own home care for 4 children, when both pre-school and school-age children are counted. On this basis, it is estimated that there are approximately 13,000 non-relative childminders caring for children in the childminder’s home.

The National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 set out a pathway for the extension of regulation to childminders. A key objective of the National Action Plan for Childminding is to enable parents who use childminders to also benefit from State subsidies through the National Childcare Scheme. The Childcare Support Act 2018, which provides a statutory basis for the National Childcare Scheme, specifies that only Tusla-registered childminders 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.

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 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.