Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2023
810. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to confirm the additional measures that his Department will take to support childcare workers, to both support those currently working in the sector and to encourage more people into the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39574/23]
View answerThe State does not employ staff in Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) services, and as a result, neither I nor my Department can set wage levels or determine working conditions for staff in the sector.However, there is now, through the independent Joint Labour Committee (JLC) process, a formal mechanism established by which employer and employee representatives can negotiate minimum pay rates for different roles in ELC and SAC services. In line with the provisions of the Industrial Relations Acts, the JLC is independent in its functions, and I do not have a role in its statutory processes. The Employment Regulation Orders published last year were a significant milestone in efforts to improve pay in the sector. The Orders are being supported by Core Funding – which has an allocation of €259 million in its first year – to support amongst other things, improvements in staff wages, alongside a commitment to freeze parental fees and support for sustainability of services. As announced in Budget 2023, the Core Funding allocation will increase by €28 million for the second year. I understand that the JLC for Early Years Services is continuing to meet in relation to possible further increases in minimum rates of pay.I am also committed to addressing other challenges which may impact on the recruitment and retention of staff in the sector. In line with commitments in First 5, in December 2021, I launched Nurturing Skills: The Workforce Plan for ELC and SAC, 2022-2028. Nurturing Skills aims to strengthen the ongoing process of professionalisation for those working in ELC and SAC.Nurturing Skills includes specific actions for moving to a graduate-led ELC workforce by 2028, establishing a career framework for staff working in the ELC and SAC sector, including role profiles and qualification requirements, and the strengthening of career pathways. Nurturing Skills also includes actions to support the recruitment and retention of staff with the necessary qualifications, and ongoing staff training and development, to create a workforce which feels valued and is motivated to deliver the best possible service to children.??
