Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 31 May 2018
213. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the wage structures in all early childcare facilities; and the rate of pay made and the geographical spread of same in tabular form. [24043/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is no formal wage structure in operation in the early years sector. Rates of pay are primarily a matter for childcare practitioners and their employers. However, the annual Early Years Sector Profile, published by Pobal, contains useful information on pay including pay rates for the various positions in the sector and county breakdowns of pay rates. The profile also includes information on staff qualifications, staff turnover and the length of time staff spend in a service. A copy of the most recent Early Years Sector Profile is available to read and download on the Pobal website www.pobal.ie under the "news and events" section.
As part of the Early years sector Profile, each service which took part was asked to provide the average hourly wage for each staff member. The results are presented in the table below.
|
Area |
Average Hourly Wage |
|
Dublin City |
€12.81 |
|
Cork City |
€12.41 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
€12.36 |
|
Cork County |
€12.27 |
|
South Dublin |
€12.17 |
|
Fingal |
€12.17 |
|
Wicklow |
€12.08 |
|
Mayo |
€11.99 |
|
Waterford |
€11.95 |
|
Limerick |
€11.90 |
|
Galway |
€11.87 |
|
Kerry |
€11.83 |
|
Kildare |
€11.77 |
|
Clare |
€11.75 |
|
Meath |
€11.73 |
|
Tipperary |
€11.70 |
|
Leitrim |
€11.69 |
|
Kilkenny |
€11.62 |
|
Offaly |
€11.53 |
|
Longford |
€11.48 |
|
Wexford |
€11.47 |
|
Westmeath |
€11.47 |
|
Louth |
€11.43 |
|
Sligo |
€11.30 |
|
Roscommon |
€11.21 |
|
Donegal |
€11.19 |
|
Monaghan |
€11.14 |
|
Cavan |
€11.14 |
|
Carlow |
€11.05 |
|
Laois |
€10.95 |
On the broader issue of pay rates, I am conscious of the need for improvements to be made and, in this regard, I have suggested to the sector that one approach which might be considered is to apply for a Sectoral Employment Order (SEO) through the Labour Court.
Under a SEO process, organisations substantially representative of employers and employees come together to agree a way forward and submissions are sought from key stakeholders. My Department would not be a party to the SEO process, however, as a significant funder, and with policy responsibility for quality, would be well placed to make a submission to the Court once it publishes its notice in relation to the matter of the application for a SEO for the sector. I have indicated that I will be very supportive of any reasonable measures aimed at improving pay and conditions of the Early Years sector.
Further, the Programme for Government includes a commitment to carry out an independent review of the cost of providing quality childcare. The 'Independent Review of the Cost of Delivering Quality Childcare' which is currently being carried out is examining the costs faced by childcare providers in delivering quality childcare, including a survey of childcare providers. Following completion- the review is intended to be used to strengthen the evidence base underpinning future policy development and investment in early years. As such, it will feed into future policy development, including in relation to levels of payments to services.
The contract to undertake this Review was awarded to Crowe Horwath in September 2017. Since then, a literature review, stakeholder engagement and an online survey has been completed. The closing date for receipt of completed surveys was 13th April. Over 800 completed surveys were received and analysis of these data has commenced. A report from this Review is expected in late June 2018. It is intended to publish this report thereafter.
