Clarity called for in Waterford on commercial rates for childminders and early years services

Clarity has been called for in Waterford on commercial rates for childminders and early years services with the issue being classed as a matter of urgency by one local TD.

Deputy David Cullinane has called on the Minister for Children to provide urgent clarity on the sudden charging of commercial rates for childminders and early years services.

Highlighting that the measure followed on from Deputy Cullinan's, Sinn Féin party colleague and its spokesperson on Children, Claire Kerrane TD, raising the issue in the Dáil on Thursday morning, February 19, during Priority Questions with the Minister.

“In recent weeks, a number of childminders and ECCE providers have been in touch with us after being contacted by Tailte Éireann about commercial rates," he said.

"This has come out of the blue," he added.

"For childminders especially, this is alarming as they are providing childcare in their own homes - their family homes."

He said the matter had also arisen at a time when childminders were at a crossroads in terms of their future, adding that very few were registering and signing up to the new regulations.

Deputy Cullinane said that in itself should be of concern and that commercial rates "are the last straw".

“Sinn Féin hosted childminders and Childminding Ireland in Leinster House yesterday, including childminders with two decades worth of childminding experience, and they all raised commercial rates as a huge concern," he said.

"We are calling on the Minister to meet with Childminding Ireland to discuss this," he added.

"There is huge anxiety and worry about these bills among those who have received them and clarity is needed urgently. The Government must now act, through legislation if needed, to sort this out urgently."