Non-relative childminders will be obliged to register with TUSLA after a three-year transitional period, under updates being made to the National Childcare Scheme.

Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) research officer Dr Dora Tuda was speaking to Newstalk Breakfast about the changes.

“The National Action Plan will allow for a three-year transitional period where childminders will be encouraged to register with TUSLA, but will not be required to do so,” she said.

“According to the National Action Plan and Department of Childcare, after a three-year transitional period, this will be mandatory.”

Registration

Dr Tuda said that research indicates the National Childcare Scheme will see a low take-up at the beginning and could cost approximately €35 million per year in this period.

“It could go up to €120 million per annum if take-off is around 100%,” she said.

This scheme would apply only to “paid non-relative care in the minder's home,” Dr Tuda told the show.

“Childminders would have to register with TUSLA, and then the parents could go on the national childcare scheme website and register there,” she said.

This would mean parents could apply for a childcare subsidy, worth “roughly €1200 a year.”

‘The black market’

Dr Tuda said researchers cannot estimate the size of the “childcare black market”, in which childminders are working unregistered.

“We don't estimate the black market and we don't estimate behavioural responses of the childminders where potentially they could either increase prices or even exit the sector,” she said.

“But this could decrease the cost of childcare by around €100 per month per child, and it will benefit over 80,000 Children in Ireland.”

Reform

Dr Tuda said The National Action Plan is promising support and training for childminders who participate in the programme.

“[This] means that the quality of childcare could improve, as long as the administrative and financial requirements on the childminder kept at a minimum,” she said.

“It will also improve the quality of childcare and health and safety.

“This will also reduce the demand for centre-based care, as we know, creches are quite full and it's very difficult to find a place for children.”

You can listen back here: