Childminders will soon be able to benefit from the National Childcare Scheme, the Minister for Children has promised.
The NCS was set up to subsidise the cost of childcare - but currently only childminders who are registered with Tusla can benefit from the scheme.
Roderic O’Gorman the Government is working on a registration system that will allow more parents to access the scheme.
“It’ll be specific for childminders; we have to recognise that their settings - usually in their family homes - are very different from a creche or a Montessori,” he said.
“So, we’re designing specific regulations recognising that difference and support childminders to register and therefore the parents who use their services will be able to benefit from the National Childcare Scheme.”
Last year’s budget increased subsidies to the childcare sector and costs fell by 25%.
When asked how much he would like to see costs cut this year, Minister O’Gorman declined to name a figure.
“I’ll be pushing for as significant cuts for parents as I can get but the difference this year is that we’re looking to spread out the benefits,” he said.
“Particularly, in terms of looking to include parents who use childminders; they weren’t able to benefit from the cuts last year.
“I’d like them to be able to experience as well because childminders offer a degree of flexibility to many parents.”
