Politician(s) lobbied: Norma Foley (Minister), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Emer Currie (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Mark Wall (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Claire Kerrane (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Kiera Keogh (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Ruairí Ó Murchú (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Mike Kennelly (Senator), Seanad; Brian Brennan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Catherine Callaghan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: To find solutions to the issues that are creating blocks for childminders
Methods: MeetingSubmissionEmailLetterPhone call
Details by Method
Meeting
Following a meeting with Norma Foley, five key asks were set out: a system-wide review, independent oversight, real childminder input, a pause before 2027 registration, and reappointment of Childminding Ireland to the NAPC group. Childminding Ireland also briefed TDs and Senators, and will meet the Oireachtas Committee for Children and Equality.
Submission
The proposed review focuses on why childminders are not registering, but not whether the system is sustainable once they do. Key issues like funding and financial viability are deferred elsewhere, creating a gap. For childminders, these are not separate concerns, an unsustainable system cannot be fixed by focusing on compliance alone.
Email
The proposed review looks at how clearly regulations are written and how Tusla supports compliance, but not whether the rules suit childminding in practice. Many requirements, such as fixed notice periods or constant emergency cover, do not reflect how childminders work. The review assumes the model is correct, rather than asking if it is fit for purpose.
Letter
The review considers financial issues only in terms of registration, excluding the wider economics of childminding. Costs like insurance, tax limits, and admin burdens are treated separately, limiting what the review can find. Many childminders earn below minimum wage in practice. Without examining financial viability, the review cannot explain low registration or identify effective solutions.
Phone call
To discuss practical arrangements for the Oireachtas AV Room presentation to all party TDs and Senators, and general concerns about the new childminding system.
Politician(s) lobbied: Mark Wall (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Claire Kerrane (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Emer Currie (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: Calling for an independent review of the new childminding system as soon as possible.
Methods: EmailPhone call
Politician(s) lobbied: Kiera Keogh (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Brian Brennan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Claire Kerrane (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Michael Healy-Rae (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Michael Fitzmaurice (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Nikki Bradley (Senator), Seanad; Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Senator), Seanad; Seán Ó Fearghaíl (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Grace Boland (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Aisling Dempsey (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Emer Currie (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Aidan Farrelly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Charles Ward (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Ruairí Ó Murchú (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Mike Kennelly (Senator), Seanad; Sharon Keogan (Senator), Seanad; Nessa Cosgrove (Senator), Seanad; Mark Wall (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Michael Cahill (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Danny Healy-Rae (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Pa Daly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Catherine Callaghan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: The sustainability of childminding into the future.
Methods: EmailMeeting
Politician(s) lobbied: Claire Kerrane (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Catherine Callaghan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Norma Foley (Minister), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Kiera Keogh (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: To draw attention to the large numbers of childminders not engaging with the proposed system. Childminding Ireland's most recent survey, Childminding in Ireland 2025, shows 76% of respondents intend to stop childminding or are undecided.
Methods: EmailMeeting
Politician(s) lobbied: Norma Foley (Minister), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Brian Brennan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: To ensure the sustainability of quality childminding
Methods: MeetingEmailSubmission
Details by Method
Meeting
Meeting with local TD to update them on the emerging issues impacting their childminding constituents.
Email
Seeking a meeting with the Minister to discuss emerging childminding issues.
Submission
Submissions were invited to inform the Department's policy priorities going forward.
Politician(s) lobbied: Roderic O'Gorman (Minister), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Emer Currie (Senator), Seanad
Intent: To work with the Department to ensure that childminders views were heard, understood and where necessary adjustments made, or plans to adjust agreed to the new childminding regulatory system
Methods: EmailLetter
Details by Method
Email
Concerning issues arising concerning Childminding Regulations, and childminding issues.A personal email when the Minister was subjected to an incident when canvassing for General Election 2024.
Letter
The letter included concerns about emerging re the new Childminding Regulations, the current resources available to Childminding Ireland, and the need for multi-year funding as soon as possible.
Politician(s) lobbied: Roderic O'Gorman (Minister), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Michael Fitzmaurice (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Patrick Costello (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; John Brady (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Holly Cairns (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Simon Coveney (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Michael Creed (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Brendan Griffin (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Brendan Griffin (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Brendan Griffin (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Seán Sherlock (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Tom Clonan (Senator), Seanad; Tom Clonan (Senator), Seanad; Lynn Ruane (Senator), Seanad; Mary Seery Kearney (Senator), Seanad
Intent: We hoped to improve proposed legislation regarding the regulation of childminders. It is important that legislation protects and supports childminding, and the many benefits it bring to children, families and communities.
Methods: SubmissionEmailPhone callMeetingVirtual Meeting
Details by Method
Submission
As part of the Public Consultation process on the Draft Childminding Regulations, Childminding Ireland submitted a detailed submission.
Email
Childminding Ireland called for a review of the new Childminding Regulations 18months before they become mandatory for childminders.Childminding Ireland wrote to inform the Minister of the financial position of the National Association of Childminders.
Phone call
Discussing childminding issues with the initial draft childminding regulations.
Meeting
Meeting to discuss solutions needed to ensure that the Childminding Regulations were appropriate and proportionate for the family home.
Virtual Meeting
Meeting to discuss solutions needed to ensure that the Childminding Regulations were appropriate and proportionate for the family home.
Politician(s) lobbied: Garret Ahearn (Senator), Seanad
Intent: Awareness raising ::To clarify issues and potential impacts if challenges are addressed for childminders.
Methods: MeetingEmail
Details by Method
Meeting
A wide ranging discussion with Senator Ahearn on the current issues facing the childminding sector.
Email
Background information was sent to Senator Ahearn.
Politician(s) lobbied: Anne Marie Brooks (Assistant Secretary), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Intent: Working to ensure the sustainability of childminding into the future, for the benefit of children and families using their services.
Methods: Email
Politician(s) lobbied: Roderic O'Gorman (Minister), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Anne Marie Brooks (Assistant Secretary), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Intent: That future regulatory systems for childminding are informed by childminders, proportionate, appropriate and ensure the sustainability of childminding.
Methods: LetterMeeting
Details by Method
Letter
Raising awareness of issues relating to the future of childminding and Childminding Ireland
Meeting
To discuss the direction of Childminding Ireland and future funding model for the voluntary sector.
