Shane Cassells (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Staff from the early years private sector have been protesting outside the gates of this building twice in the past 12 months. Specifically, they have been protesting about the pressures they are under and the fact that the sector is especially subject to extremely low pay. This is clear when one examines what these young professionals are being paid and the demands, in terms of the attainment of qualifications to work in the sector, now being placed on them by the Department. Something has to give. The question I am asking is whether enough support is being provided to these young professionals to get the training and go on to work in a high-stress job. The Department expects them to identify potential neglect and abuse for young children. What are they getting in return?