Tusla still waiting for child minders to sign up

A newly introduced tax rebate for parents who use a childminder registered with the State’s Child and Family Agency has not led to any increase in numbers enrolled with the body, its chief executive has revealed.

Fred McBride yesterday said while the announcement in last month’s budget has led to more inquiries about registering for the scheme, it has yet to generate any increase on the agency’s list of childminders.

Just 119 childminders are registered with Tusla. Five counties — Laois, Longford, Leitrim, Offaly, and Wicklow — do not have any registered.