Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 October 2021
482. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he is taking to ensure that early years and childcare workers are receiving adequate benefits, such as sick leave, sick pay and maternity leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47782/21]
View answerI am very conscious of the need for significant improvement in pay and working conditions for practitioners in ELC and SAC services. The level of pay they receive does not reflect the value of the work they do for children, for families and for the wider society and economy.
As the State does not employ early learning and childcare practitioners, I cannot set wage levels or determine working conditions for staff in the sector. My Department has, however, over a number of years provided a range of supports to service providers to enable them to improve wages and working conditions.
I am committed to doing what is in my power to improve wages and working conditions. That is why last December I began a process to examine the possibility of regulating pay and conditions in the sector and the suitability of a Joint Labour Committee (JLC). In agreement with IBEC/Childhood Services Ireland, and SIPTU, I appointed Dr Kevin Duffy, former Chair of the Labour Court, to be the independent chair of this process.
On foot of Dr Duffy’s report, on 11 March I wrote to the Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, recommending the establishment of a JLC for the sector.
In line with the provisions of the Industrial Relations Acts, the Labour Court recommended establishment of a JLC, and Minister English accepted the Labour Court’s recommendations. The Establishment Order came into effect at the beginning of July. The JLC will provide an opportunity for unions and employer representatives to work together to determine wages and working conditions for ELC and SAC. In addition, work on a Workforce Development Plan for ELC and SAC continues, with a final report expected by the end of the year.
Specifically on the question of sick pay, I believe, after a number of discussions with representative bodies in the sector, that sick pay for ELC and SAC practitioners should be addressed in the wider context of sick pay for all workers. On June 9th this year, the Tánaiste announced details of the Government’s plan to introduce legislation to give all workers the right to paid sick leave, initially starting with three days per year in 2022, rising to five days payable in 2023 and seven days payable in 2024.
