Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. We have previously discussed these issues and the Minister outlined the steps regarding services being encouraged to use the additional funding to support the pay and conditions of workers. The reality is that there are difficulties in sourcing staff. A turnover rate of 25% is quite high. We know how vital the staff are. I acknowledge the improvement in staff qualifications because that skill set is important in providing a service for children, which gives them a good grounding before they move to primary school.

A couple of months ago I met providers and staff in Buswell's Hotel who outlined the difficulties and challenges they face. Their passion and care for their work was obvious. One factor highlighted was that many staff who improve their qualifications then undertake a graduate programmes in primary school teaching, leading to the loss of valuable skill sets in the early childhood care sector.

There is an underfunding of childcare which the Minister is trying to address. The spending on childcare in Ireland is 0.1% of GDP whereas the European average is 0.8%. The staff in the sector feel undervalued.

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