2026-02-19

91. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is concerned at reports of early years services and childminders receiving bills for commercial rates; if she will act to ensure rates are not applied; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13520/26]

In recent weeks especially, I have been contacted by a number of ECCE providers, as well as a number of childminders. So too have a number of my colleagues, and I am sure the Minister is well aware of this. They have been receiving commercial rates bills and have been contacted in relation to such moneys owed. I would like to know if the Minister is aware of this situation and what she intends to do about it in her role as Minister.

I confirm that I am aware that a number of early years services and childminders have been receiving rates payable notifications from their local authorities. Given the importance of early learning and childcare for children, families and communities across the country, I am giving this matter my full attention. I have met with my Cabinet colleague, the Minister, Deputy Browne, on this matter. Additionally, officials in the Department are engaging with their colleagues in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Tailte Éireann. I am committed to furnishing the Deputy with an update once the Department has clarity on this matter. It should be noted that commercial rates payments for early learning and childcare providers, including childminders, do not fall, as the Deputy will appreciate, within the remit of the Department of Children, Disability and Equality. The Department has no role in determining which properties are rateable. The making of valuations for rating purposes is the sole and full responsibility of Tailte Éireann, formerly the Commissioner of Valuation. Tailte Éireann falls under the aegis of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Further to this, as I stated previously, I believe childminders should not have their homes assessed for commercial rates. My understanding is that childminders are only likely to be charged rates if they have space dedicated solely to their childminding business, and that the large majority of childminders who use the normal family rooms in the house for childminding are therefore unlikely to be charged rates. Again, we would like to absolutely clarify this understanding and issue a clear message to childminders. I appreciate the enormous concern and stress this is causing on the ground. I assure the Deputy, although this does not fall within our remit and I am very conscious it is a matter for Tailte Éireann, which I appreciate is independent of the Department of housing, we want to bring this to an end. I know there is not consistency across local authorities either in relation to the matter. That is something that needs to be addressed too.

I appreciate that the Minister has engaged with the Minister, Deputy Browne. Clearly, this is something that needs to be sorted out as quickly as possible because, as the Minister acknowledged, there is stress and worry. A lot of childminders were shocked to hear from Tailte Éireann and then to receive such rates that they never had before. It is important this issue is dealt with quickly. I fully appreciate it is not within the remit of the Minister's Department, but I acknowledge she has reached out to the housing Minister. This is something that needs to be sorted out very quickly. I hosted a number of childminders from various parts of the State yesterday, along with Childminding Ireland. This is an issue they raised and one they want sorted out. There are obviously other issues in terms of childminders deciding their future but, for a lot of them, this is very much the last straw. It needs to be sorted out and I acknowledge the Minister is trying to do that. Does she believe legislation is required in order to exempt the likes of childminders and early childhood care and education, ECCE, facilities?

I know the Deputy has been very engaged and active on this issue. I cannot underestimate, as I deal with it all the time, and the Deputy outlined this too, how this is causing incredible distress for so many who are an excellent source of support to families on the ground. I want to be clear. It has been the understanding of my Department that there are two exemptions for early learning and childcare services provided for under Schedule 4 of the Valuation Act 2001 and the 2015 amendment to the Act. ECCE-only services, whether these are for profit or are not-for-profit, are exempt under paragraph 10 of the 2001 Act, and not-for-profit early years services are exempt under paragraph 22 of the amended Act. The Department has previously received confirmation from the Department of housing, including at ministerial level, that the intention and practice was for the exemptions provided for in both the original and revised Acts to operate in tandem. I will also be clear in saying that is not the view of Tailte Éireann. I have to respect its independence and that it has a different view, but we are seeking to do the best we can, from all avenues open to us, to ensure clarity is brought to this.

If that Act needs to be amended to specifically state childminders in particular, that needs to be done as quickly as possible. There still is not clarity. While I appreciate the Minister has been engaging, we need to hear that update on what is actually going to happen. As I said, we are at a critical juncture for childminders in the State. I and colleagues heard yesterday from a number of them, who are deciding after 17 or 18 years as childminders not to continue. Commercial rates were raised by each one of them as the endgame. This needs to be sorted out quickly. It would be beneficial for the Minister and helpful for everyone concerned, particularly when we look at the low number of childminders registering, to meet with Childminding Ireland and hear from it directly on this and other matters.

As I said, there is a clear divergence of opinion here between Tailte Éireann and the view of the Department. We would absolutely be supportive of any measure that would bring clarity. Legislation, as referenced by the Deputy, does not fall within the remit of our Department but if that is the necessary step, it is the necessary step. We are doing all we can to support childminders, particularly to come into the registration process. There are dedicated individuals in every city and county childcare committee specifically designated to work with childminders. We want them to be part to the process and to have every opportunity to benefit from being part of the process. There is currently a pilot with childminders in receipt of core funding by a grant or whatever, and a consultation process as regards the wider childcare elements. Through that, there is a lot of engagement with childminders. I would be very happy to engage with them as well through that process.