Joint Committee on Gender Equality to discuss recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality regarding Care and Social Protection

The meeting will take place in Committee Room 2 of Leinster House between 09:00-12:00. 

The following representatives are due to appear: 

• Head of Strategic Organising and Campaigns, SIPTU, Big Start - Darragh O’Connor

• Director of Policy, Advocacy & Campaigning, Early Childhood Ireland -  Frances Byrne

• Chief Executive Officer, Treoir, Damien Peelo 

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Ivana Bacik said: “We look forward to resuming our discussion on the recommendations of the Citizens Assembly report regarding care and social protection with representatives from the Early Childhood Education sector and Treoir - the National Federation of Services for Unmarried Parents and their Children who advocate for changes to the law to ensure the rights and welfare of parents of children who are not married to each other and their children.”

“One of the Citizens Assembly’s recommendations calls for an increase in State spending to 1% on childcare in order to move to a publicly funded, accessible and regulated model of quality with professional pay and conditions for workers.”

“98% of workers in this sector are female and they play a key role in the early learning and development of children. The State and our economy rely heavily on the work of the early childhood sector yet their work remains undervalued as they are underpaid and their wages remain stagnant despite inflation.” 

“Childcare fees, wage stagnation, the Early Childhood Education Scheme and a publicly funded childcare scheme are among the issues we expect to discuss with representatives.”

Watch the meeting live on Oireachtas TV or on the Oireachtas smartphone app for Apple and Android.