Number of childminders who claim State funding to expand under minister's plan 

'All paid, non-relative childminders who work in their own homes can now register with Tusla and access the national childcare scheme,' a spokesperson for the Department of Children said. Picture:iStock

The children's minister is examining a plan to expand the number of childminders who receive core State funding in a bid to encourage formal registrations.

Following the commencement of regulations in 2024, childminders can now register with Tusla and take part in the national childcare scheme and, from next September, all childminders must be registered with Tusla.

Childminders will only be allowed to look after a maximum of six children at any one time under the September 2024 regulations, and only two of those can be aged under 15 months. This will only be permitted in the childminder’s home.

Figures released to the Irish Examiner show that while many childminders would be eligible for the NCS, just 158 are currently registered with Tusla.

A Department of Children spokesperson said childminders "are a hugely important part of early learning and care and school-age childcare provision, and they continue to be the option of choice for many families".

"All paid, non-relative childminders who work in their own homes can now register with Tusla and access the national childcare scheme. As of end December 2025, 634 childminders had completed the short pre-registration training course and 158 childminders were registered with Tusla.

"The childminding-specific regulations came into effect in September 2024, with a statutory transition period of three years ending in September 2027. Registration is therefore not mandatory until the end of this transition period."

Tax and social protection implications

It said the 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".

Government sources said there is an acknowledgement that there is a reticence on the part of many to get registered because of the requirements and potential tax and social protection implications. 

With this in mind, it is understood that minister Norma Foley is examining the expansion of the funding available for childminders under the national childcare scheme. The plan, which would require budgetary approval later this year, could be worth up to €5,000 a year for childminders.

Last week, Ms Foley said childminders should not have to pay commercial rates in their homes. She added that she was aware some childminders had received letters while others have not.

The letters, from Tailte Éireann, seek to value properties to establish whether commercial rates apply.

Ms Foley said she had met housing minister James Browne on the matter, adding that there needs to be “absolute clarity.”

• Paul Hosford is the Acting Political Editor with the Irish Examiner.