State's plans to regulate childminders are 'overly ambitious'

The Children's Committee heard criticism of the plan which, representatives say, does not reflect the important role played by childminders nationally. File picture

The State’s plans to regulate the childminding profession in the immediate future are “overly ambitious”, a meeting of the Oireachtas Children’s Committee has heard.

The hearing, held to discuss the State’s National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-28, was told that while it is welcome childminders were finally being recognised as an “integral” part of the country’s childcare system, many difficulties remain with the actual implementation of that plan.