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

On Deputy Funchion's last point, officials in my Department have been very committed to finding ways to consult with, and hear from, the sector. That is not to say we have heard from everyone but most recently they have been on a roadshow giving information to providers about the more affordable child care which will start in September 2017. My understanding is there has been strong and robust conversations at those gatherings, which have been sold out in various parts of the country, where the officials and providers have met face-to-face. Much of that discussion is not merely about explaining what we are putting in place in September but also the issues which the Deputies raised on pay and working conditions. It is a huge challenge because the Department is not the employer of the people who provide the services. I hope I will be successful in securing more money to raise the ECCE capitation rates, but how do we know for sure they will be passed on to the employees? These are huge issues.

I refer to non-contact time. We hope for that and I am asking providers to look at this. It makes it more complicated that we are not the employers but that is not to say we will not try to lead in ways to ensure these things are made better.

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