I rise today to address the growing concerns of home-based childcare providers, in light of new childminding regulations. Over recent months, many childminders have contacted me to express anxiety about the future of their work, work that is essential to families across the country. Let us be clear. Childminders are not opposed to regulations. They support safeguarding standards and accountability, but they are worried that the new system feels too close to a centre-based childcare model being applied to a family home. They fear that the administrative demands, inspections and costs could drive many experienced childminders out of the sector.

If even a fraction of these providers leave, the impact on parents, in particular in rural areas such as the one I represent, will be significant. Flexibility, continuity of care and affordable home-based options could be reduced at a time when families can least afford it. Childminders are calling for proportionate childminding-specific regulations that reflect the unique nature of care in the home. They seek clearer pathways for Garda vetting for all necessary adults, stronger financial support to help with compliance costs and the protection of their privacy, in particular around the publication of home addresses.

The three-year transition period is welcome, but it must be accompanied by a robust mid-transition review. That review must be genuine, transparent and responsive. It should be an opportunity to correct what is not working rather than a formality. I call on the Minister to come to the House to debate the new regulations, strengthen rather than undermine home-based childcare and protect the vital services childminders provide to thousands of families.

It is like a spring day and I am just overcome by the promotion of Phibsborough. I will have to take a trip out there. I wish the Senator well in the by-election and I wish whoever follows in a Seanad by-election every success. It is great to see such a robust and positive contribution. I would not have an issue with any of it. I thank Senator Fitzpatrick.

On a more serious note, I welcome the INTO. We are all familiar with its magazine. It also published a document, our children our future: supporting primary and special education. When I turned the pages of the magazine, which we have all received, I noted the INTO discussed its significant concerns about staff shortages, in particular in special schools, DEIS schools, Irish-medium education and cited the crisis in teacher supply, in particular in Dublin which is an issue due to the cost of accommodation.

The INTO, Irish Primary Principals' Network and Catholic Primary School Management Association conducted a survey which found that one in five schools could not fill posts. The problem was particularly acute in Dublin, and we know why. I want to wish Deputy Hildegarde Naughton well as the new Minister. I heard her on "Morning Ireland" today. She set out all sorts of ambitions and excitement. We need her to come before the House quickly to discuss teacher shortages and why substitute teachers, special needs teachers and special classroom assistants are now supervising classrooms in the absence of teachers. That is a crisis. Education and children must be key priorities. I salute the INTO general secretary John Boyle and its president, Anne Horan, for their ongoing engagement with the Oireachtas.

Senator Dee Ryan had a Commencement matter this morning on rural housing and I commend her on that. She raised the same issues I did and discussed others. She provided really good examples of how we could address rural housing. It was suggested all we can have at the end of all of this, as the Minister confirmed - I have his response in front of me – is to aspire to have a national planning statement by the end of 2026 under the current plan. I appeal to every Member who has a parliamentary party meeting today in Leinster House to raise this issue if they can. Everyone is genuinely concerned. We have to address rural housing, including one-off rural housing, as part of a suite of measures to address housing. We need all types of housing and we need to take every possible opportunity.

I commend our colleagues. Our library and research team has a platform and issued an open invitation today from now until 1 p.m. I attended a session. A few attended and the service hoped more would come. It wants to engage with people about its enormous work and support for us. I certainly could not do my work without it. It is an independent validated service that is full of integrity and assists us with accurate information. We talk about AI, false information and misinformation. This organisation serves us well and with distinction. If Members can spare few moments in their busy schedule before 1 p.m., I encourage them to visit the service in the coffee dock.