80. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will comment on the survey findings by a representative organisation (details supplied) which showed that 80% of childminder services will close; and the actions her Department is taking to address the issue. [61743/25]

Sentiment score: 0.00

Will the Minister comment on the recent survey by Childminding Ireland which showed that 80% of childminding services will close, and will she make a statement to the House on the matter?

Sentiment score: 0.03

I need not put on the record of the House how important childminders are to the childcare sector in this country. It has been the subject of many conversations we have had here. The Minister is right to say there are concerns among childminders right across the country as to what this new regulation will mean for them. Many of them are minding two or three children in their own homes and have done so for many years. There is a concern, a worry, as to what starting to fill out forms, etc., and registering will mean for them. What they are looking for from the Minister and from the Department is that they will be able to continue in all aspects with what they have done for years. They are the cornerstones of many communities. I need not put that on the record of the House either. There are concerns coming out of what is happening, including one provider in my county who has now been subject to rates, unfortunately. Will the Minister give that reassurance to those childminders who need it? If our childminders are not there, many working families in this country will run into so many difficulties in the coming weeks.

Sentiment score: -0.05

I would welcome if the Minister could mention that because it has become a serious concern for a lot of childminders, who, as she said, are so important to rural life, where it is often a neighbour who is minding two or three children and who has done so for years. If that falls, rural life is really going to be affected for so many people in my area and, I am sure, the Minister's area. The Minister mentioned communications. That is vital for where we are going with childminders because many of our childminders, as I have said before, have been doing this for years out of love for childminding and love for supporting their communities and being recognised as such within their communities. I encourage the Minister to engage as much as possible, as she has been doing, to ensure that we have communications at every opportunity with our childminders, ensuring that there is somebody available to answer the many questions I and a lot of my colleagues are getting. Will the Minister commit to meeting with Childminding Ireland to discuss the concerns it has got and is getting about this registration?

Sentiment score: 0.49