Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am conscious of time so I will cut to the point. I want to compare our situation as Deputies to workers in the child care sector. A national demonstration and strike has been organised by hundreds of child care professionals for Tuesday of next week. This is a result of the sector's absolute frustration and exasperation with the refusal of the Government to acknowledge the worsening working conditions and right to fair pay for the hours worked.

Understandably, the announcement of pay restoration for Deputies has frustrated those working in the early years sector. The revelation regarding the restoration of pay at the time of the budget in October understandably further frustrated those in the early years sector. The prospect of Deputies getting a pay rise when early years child care professionals are being told there is not enough money in the pot for adequately improved capitation rates which could, in turn, significantly improve wages, is pushing staff to the edge. Deputies in the House are out of touch on this issue and the difficulties staff and providers are experiencing, with many being forced to leave the sector. We hear a lot of talk about child care, but that is the reality for staff working in the sector.

Let us be clear. Decisions and positions can be changed if the political will is there. Sinn Féin opposed the terms of the various FEMPI Acts and when such legislation was first brought forward we tabled amendments to reduce the pay of Deputies to €75,000. This, as we know, was rejected. What does this tell our constituents and what message does it send out from the Chamber that Deputies believe they deserve more?

With this motion, we have the opportunity to show that at the very minimum we will not take pay restoration while others continue to struggle, that pay for Deputies and Senators is not a priority and that when it comes to issues regarding pay the current concerns of other sectors is where the focus should be. I urge other Deputies to support the motion.

See this speech in context