From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
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Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, today announced that additional funding had been made available to ensure that all approved applications for the Childminding Development Grant would get their full award. This year, for the first time, the number of applications exceeded the funds initially available. The Minister’s decision to extend the Childminding Development Grant reflects his ongoing commitment to the National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-28.
The annual Childminding Development Grant was introduced in 2004 to help childminders enhance quality and safety in their service through the purchase of toys, childcare equipment, safety equipment, and equipment to support inclusion and learning.
The Grant is open on an annual basis to registered and unregistered childminders as well as those who are planning to open a childminding business.
The National Action Plan for Childminding committed to review and reform of the Grant. Following this review, and in line with recommendations from a childminding Advisory Group established under the National Action Plan, a number of changes were made to the Grant in 2023. Changes included a move to allow for much of the Grant be paid in advance to help childminders with the upfront costs of purchasing equipment.
The Minister said:
“I am delighted to be able to make additional funding available for the 2023 Childminding Development Grant. The welcome changes recommended by the Advisory Group under the National Action Plan for Childminding have resulted in the Grant being oversubscribed for the first time.
“In parallel with enhancements to this year’s Childminding Development Grant, my department continues to progress other actions in Phase 1 of the National Action Plan for Childminding, including the drafting of childminder-specific regulations that will be proportionate and appropriate to the home and family setting in which childminders work.
“Once introduced, the childminder-specific regulations will enable a much wider cohort of childminders and parents to benefit from the National Childcare Scheme. The drafting of childminder-specific regulations, and associated legislative reform, is under way at present, and consultation on the draft regulations will take place in the coming months.”
For further information about the Childminding Development Grants and the National Action Plan for Childminding, go to www.gov.ie/childminding.
The application process for the Childminding Development Grant for 2023 is now complete. Future funding rounds will be announced in 2024.