Overwatch Report

Childminding Ireland

January–April

[Children and Youth Affairs] Communicating with the Department for Children, Disability and Equality on issues raised by childminders and others relating to draft recommendations for the new regulated childminding sector.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Norma Foley', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} {'name': 'Brian Brennan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Childminding Ireland

May–August

[Children and Youth Affairs] Calling for an independent review of the working of the new childminding system.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Kiera Keogh', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Brian Brennan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Claire Kerrane', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Michael Healy-Rae', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Michael Fitzmaurice', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Nikki Bradley', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} + 16 more

Childminding Ireland

May–August

[Children and Youth Affairs] The new childminding system, and the concerns of childminders.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All TDs', 'role': "Raising childminders' concerns about the new childminding system, and bringing attention to the number (76%) of childminders planning to leave the sector or are undecided about continuing. This will lead to chaos in the sector if over 30,000 childcare places are lost. (Figures based on Dept figures, CMI believe the figures are understated)"} {'name': 'Email All Senators', 'role': "Raising childminders' concerns about the new childminding system, and bringing attention to the number (76%) of childminders planning to leave the sector or are undecided about continuing. This will lead to chaos in the sector if over 30,000 childcare places are lost.(Figures based on Dept figures, CMI believe the figures are understated)"} {'name': 'Claire Kerrane', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Catherine Callaghan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Norma Foley', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} {'name': 'Kiera Keogh', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Childminding Ireland

September–December

[Children and Youth Affairs] On going concerns of childminders re the new childminding system.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Mark Wall', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Claire Kerrane', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Emer Currie', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Childminding Ireland

January–April

[Children and Youth Affairs] To raise awareness of current challenges for childminders and families using childminding services

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Garret Ahearn', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

Childminding Ireland

May–August

[Children and Youth Affairs] Communicating with the Department for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, on issues raised by childminders and others relating to draft recommendations for the new regulated childminding sector.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All TDs', 'role': 'Raising childminders concerns with the initial draft childminding regulations'} {'name': 'Email All MEPs', 'role': 'Raising childminding issues during the election period'} {'name': 'Email All Councillors', 'role': 'Raising childminding issues during the election period'} {'name': "Roderic O'Gorman", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} {'name': 'Michael Fitzmaurice', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Patrick Costello', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 13 more

Childminding Ireland

September–December

[Children and Youth Affairs] Representing Childminders view, concerns and emerging issues on the new Childminding Regulations.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All TDs', 'role': "Raising childminding issues with TD's and candidates of the General Election 2024."} {'name': "Roderic O'Gorman", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} {'name': 'Emer Currie', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

Childminding Ireland

January–April

[Children and Youth Affairs] To raise awareness of current challenges for childminders and families using childminding services as well as the need for Childminding Ireland their representative body

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Roderic O'Gorman", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} {'name': 'Anne Marie Brooks', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'}

Childminding Ireland

May–August

[Children and Youth Affairs] Childminding Ireland is committed to lobbying for the sustainable future for childminding so that children, families, and communities can continue to experience the benefits of this vital form of childcare.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Roderic O'Gorman", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} {'name': 'Anne Marie Brooks', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'}

Childminding Ireland

September–December

[Children and Youth Affairs] Communicating with the Department for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, on issues raised by childminders and others relating to draft recommendations for the new regulated childminding sector.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Anne Marie Brooks', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'}

Childminding Ireland

May–August

[Children and Youth Affairs] Childminding Ireland is the National Representative Organisation for childminding. The Funding of Childminding Ireland is by DCEDIY via Pobal. The DCEDIY is undertaking a structural review and the funding of National Voluntary Organisations is under consideration.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': "We shared Childminding Ireland's pre-budget 2023 submission with all Oireachtas Members. It is important that additional funding is made available to Childminding Ireland in order to maintain and expand their important work of providing support and representation to those directly impacted by forth coming changes to the childminding sector."} {'name': 'Email All Local Authority Members', 'role': "Childminding Ireland's shared its pre-budget 2023 submission with all Local Authority Members. It is important that additional funding is made available to Childminding Ireland in order to maintain and expand their important work of providing support and representation to those directly impacted by forth coming changes to the childminding sector."} {'name': "Roderic O'Gorman", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'}

Childminding Ireland

September–December

[Children and Youth Affairs] To raise awareness of current challenges for childminders and families using childminding services

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Anne Marie Brooks', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} {'name': "Roderic O'Gorman", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'}

Childminding Ireland

January–April

[Children and Youth Affairs] The National Action Plan for Childminding (2021-2029), and issues and challenges facing childminders (including insurance), children and families using childminding services

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Robert Troy', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Seán Fleming', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Sean Fleming', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Finance)'} {'name': "Roderic O'Gorman", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Roderic O'Gorman", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} {'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 6 more

Childminding Ireland

May–August

[Children and Youth Affairs] The need to support and protect quality childminding as we move towards a regulated childminding sector.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Holly Cairns', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Patrick Costello', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Cathal Crowe', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Alan Dillon', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Kathleen Funchion', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Jennifer Murnane O'Connor", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 11 more

Childminding Ireland

May–August

[Children and Youth Affairs] The need to support and protect quality childminding as we move towards a regulated childminding sector.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Kathleen Funchion', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Childminding Ireland

September–December

[Children and Youth Affairs] The inclusion of childminders in the implementation of the National Action Plan for Childminders 2021-2028 (NAPC) and that representation should be as diverse as possible

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Anne Marie Brooks', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'}

Childminding Ireland

January–April

[Children and Youth Affairs] Calling for meaningful inclusion of childminders in the process of government planning, access to funding and training for childminders. Raising concerns of childminders including those raised at the national childminding consultation workshops.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'All candidates in General Election 2020 were asked for their personal position on childminding issues. The responses were collated and shared with childminders.'} {'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Love my Childminder press release sent to all Oireachtas Members.'} {'name': 'Anne Rabbitte', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Kathleen Funchion', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'David Cullinane', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Denise Mitchell', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 11 more

Childminding Ireland

May–August

[Children and Youth Affairs] Issues and challenges facing childminders, children and families using childminding services

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All TDs', 'role': 'Stressing the importance of retaining a Cabinet level Ministerial position for Children and Youth Affairs'} {'name': 'Email All Councillors', 'role': 'Stressing the importance of retaining a Cabinet level Ministerial position for Children and Youth Affairs'} {'name': 'Email All Senators', 'role': 'Stressing the importance of retaining a Cabinet level Ministerial position for Children and Youth Affairs'} {'name': 'Anne Rabbitte', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Eamon Ryan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Roderic O'Gorman", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} + 3 more

Childminding Ireland

September–December

[Children and Youth Affairs] Childminding Action Plan

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Bernie McNally', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Children and Youth Affairs)'} {'name': "Roderic O'Gorman", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'}

Childminding Ireland

January–April

[Children and Youth Affairs] Raising concerns of childminders including those raised at the national childminding consultation workshops. Ministerial meeting requested.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'One of the most significant challenges facing childminders is isolation. In order to support childminders at a local level Childminding Ireland organised informal Childminding Get-togethers, to create the opportunity to develop supportive peer relationships. \nThis free social event was open to all childminders not just for Childminding Ireland members. Oireachtas members were asked to promote their local event.'} {'name': 'Email All Councillors', 'role': 'One of the most significant challenges facing childminders is isolation. In order to support childminders at a local level Childminding Ireland organised informal Childminding Get-togethers, to create the opportunity to develop supportive peer relationships. \nThis free social event was open to all childminders not just for Childminding Ireland members. Councillors were asked to promote their local event.'} {'name': 'Katherine Zappone', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children and Youth Affairs)'} {'name': 'Bernie McNally', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Children and Youth Affairs)'}

Childminding Ireland

May–August

[Children and Youth Affairs] Raising concerns of childminders as raised at the national childminding consultation workshops.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Lobbying as part of the Childminding is Different campaign'} {'name': 'Email All Local Authority Members', 'role': 'Lobbying as part of the Childminding is Different campaign'} {'name': 'Bernie McNally', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Children and Youth Affairs)'} {'name': 'Katherine Zappone', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children and Youth Affairs)'} {'name': 'Anne Rabbitte', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Childminding Ireland

September–December

[Children and Youth Affairs] Advocating on behalf of childminders, concerning the proposed changes to the sector

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Katherine Zappone', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children and Youth Affairs)'} {'name': 'Anne Rabbitte', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Bernie McNally', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Children and Youth Affairs)'} {'name': 'Brendan Howlin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Seán Sherlock', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Alan Farrell', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 5 more

Childminding Ireland

January–April

[Children and Youth Affairs] Awareness raising of the unique benefits of childminding and lobbying for the inclusion of childminding in a system of supports

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Bernie McNally', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Children and Youth Affairs)'} {'name': 'Katherine Zappone', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children and Youth Affairs)'} {'name': 'Kathleen Funchion', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Denise Mitchell', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Andrew Doyle', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)'}

Childminding Ireland

May–August

[Children and Youth Affairs] Advising childminders of forthcoming changes in the childcare and childminding sectors

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Bernie McNally', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Children and Youth Affairs)'}

Childminding Ireland

January–April

[Children and Youth Affairs] Awareness raising of the Report of the Working Group on Reforms and Supports for the Childminding Sector (Working Group).

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Lisa Chambers', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Alan Farrell', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Kathleen Funchion', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Denise Mitchell', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Tom Neville', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Anne Rabbitte', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 7 more

Childminding Ireland

January–April

[Children and Youth Affairs] Report of the Working Group on Reforms and Supports for the Childminding Sector (Working Group)

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Katherine Zappone', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children and Youth Affairs)'}

Childminding Ireland

January–April

[Children and Youth Affairs] Report of the Working Group on Reforms and Supports for the Childminding Sector

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'All Oireachtas Members were emailed a link to the Report of the Working Group on Supports and Reforms for the Childminding Sector.'}

Childminding Ireland

May–August

[Children and Youth Affairs] Sharing of an Irish Times article by Shelia Wayman on childminding in Ireland. Meeting requests and sharing of background information.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Sharing of Shelia Wayman article on childminding published in the Irish Times article with additional information.'} {'name': 'Email All Councillors', 'role': 'Sharing of Shelia Wayman article on childminding published in the Irish Times article with additional information.'} {'name': 'Anne Rabbitte', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Lisa Chambers', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Alan Farrell', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Dermot Lacey', 'role': 'Councillor (Dublin City Council)'} + 4 more

Childminding Ireland

January–April

[Children and Youth Affairs] Meeting request to discuss the Report of the Working Group on Reforms and Supports for the Childminding Sector (Working Group)

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Regina Doherty', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection)'}

Childminding Ireland

September–December

[Children and Youth Affairs] Raising concerns of childminders as raised at the national childminding consultation workshops. Ministerial meeting requested.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Bernie McNally', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Children and Youth Affairs)'} {'name': 'Katherine Zappone', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children and Youth Affairs)'}

Lobbying Tracker

Most Lobbied TDs