Mr. Darragh O'Connor:

There is a class element. That is an interesting take on it. It rings true to me. You see community colleges or education and training boards where people might qualify with a level 5 or level 6 and go into low-paid jobs. We also see graduates who have gone to Dublin City University or any university around the country which offers this course who also come out into a low-paid job. There is not a substantial difference arising from a person's level of qualification or background. Generally, people working as early years educators, if they have a level 5 or level 6, or a room leader who might have higher qualifications, are all on low rates of pay. The gender dimension is probably the biggest factor. Caring work and educational work are just not valued at all, at least in how that is reflected in people's wages. No one is getting the recognition, no matter what qualification or background they have.