Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will give the initial response and then ask others to respond to the excellent questions asked.

A couple of members raised the question of pay and conditions. As the Chairman identified, many of these issues are outside the context of the Bill on which we are working. At the same time the legislation will put in place very different infrastructure and a way to provide for State investment to support families in the provision of child care, taking cognisance of the requirement for quality provision. As I indicated in my opening remarks, I am very committed to this and we are very cognisant of it. We have begun discussions that I think will prove very fruitful, not only with some of the unions which are bringing more child care providers into their membership, which is a welcome and important step that supports the appearance and status of the professionalisation of the sector. We will continue these conversations with them to help the Department in considering the issue of pay and conditions. I have referred to the independent review we are conducting. There are key places where we are having conversations because we are aware that the current pay and conditions are not adequate to acknowledge and recognise the quality care service being delivered throughout the country. The Department will continue to be cognisant of the inclusion of as much support as possible in respect of the learner funds and increased support for the providers in respect of their additional qualifications which is a key aspect of conditions, as well finding ways to support members of staff who have been involved in community services such as community employment schemes and want to move towards training to obtain the qualification required to ensure quality. These are matters we will continue to discuss, perhaps in other arenas. It is welcome that the committee is preparing a report on the issue. We, too, are doing work to provide me with support, as well as the argument and evidence, to look for more resources for child care providers, in addition to moneys for non-contact time. Members are aware of this key request from the sector in the context of the last budget.

I will ask one of my officials to address Deputy Tom Neville's question on qualifications and acknowledging the broad experience many providers have acquired outside the context of formal qualifications, particularly in early childhood care and education. The Deputy will be aware of our drive to ensure quality and learning among those working with children. Ongoing theory and practice are provided and learning and training are offered in different ways in early years education and care.

The Deputy also referred to our announcements on apprenticeship models and other sectors. While the word "apprentice" may have some positive and negative connotations for different sectors, perhaps even in the early childhood education sector, it may worthwhile to consider this type of model in the context of work in this sector. Discussions on the issue are just starting, but as we proceed, we will be very open to this approach. The legislation provides that certain qualifications are required in the sector. We are open to considering other approaches, however, and fully cognisant of the concerns raised by the Deputy. Deputy Anne Rabbitte referred to rural areas where some of these issues arise more frequently among providers than in cities.

I have said a great deal about pay, conditions and qualifications. Before asking my officials to elaborate on these issues, I will first address a couple of other matters. Deputy Anne Rabbitte raised a number of issues about parents who choose to care for their children at home. She asked if there was some compassion missing in the application of the scheme. That is not the case. The scheme provides a new subsidy for children aged under three years, regardless of circumstances. Many parents who choose to mind their children at home would also like a mix of care choices. Provision has been made for this and supports have been provided for 15 hours of-----