Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The most recent package provides for the measures to which I have just referred as well as a reopening grant to assist with the extra staffing costs and the purchase of cleaning and hygiene products. As we turn to the next phase of reopening from September onwards, I will be working with my Government colleagues on measures to continue to support the childcare sector in the period from 24 August onwards.

I turn to the issue of investment in the early learning and childcare sector. The Government has clearly set out the need for increased investment in childcare. The past five years saw a significant increase in State funding by 141%. Obviously, it has to be acknowledged that this was coming from an extremely low base. This sector received virtually no State support for decades. We are still catching up on this historic failure to invest. As the Opposition has said, parents in Ireland pay very high childcare costs. Like Deputy Wynne, when I meet constituents in Dublin West, many parents describe childcare fees to me as essentially a second mortgage. This is not sustainable for parents, society or the economy, and reducing the fees which parents pay is a key objective of the Government. The Government is committed to increasing funding and I want to use this to build on the national childcare scheme and make increased subsidies available to more parents. I want to continue to develop the ECCE free preschool scheme, and the access and inclusion model for children with additional needs. I want to make more childcare places available so that parents have real choice, and I want to improve the quality of service offered to children. State support for childcare has traditionally been targeted at centre-based childcare provision. We will provide financial supports for parents who choose other types of childcare, such as childminding. I also want to support those parents who choose to look after their children themselves.

To ensure that this extra State investment delivers as effectively as possible on affordability and quality, I will ensure that the new funding model for the sector being developed by an expert group will be delivered next year. This group is examining models from across the world to design a model for Ireland that will ensure that extra investment will be used to support a sustainable and high-quality service, while ensuring that parental fees are significantly reduced. I will ensure that there is an evidence base for the policies I will implement and I will consult with all stakeholders to ensure that their voices are heard, including parents, practitioners and service providers.

In addition to developing a new funding model for the sector, I believe that structural reform is needed to ensure an effective system for the oversight and delivery of childcare services. This Government has committed to establish a new national childcare agency, Childcare Ireland, to assist in the expansion of high-quality childcare, spearheading leadership, best practice and innovation. Its goal will be to ensure that childcare is affordable, accessible and of high quality. The creation of such an agency was a key ask of service providers in the sector. As this measure is a significant element of the Government's commitment in this area, I will be bringing forward a memo to the Cabinet next week to advance the development of Childcare Ireland.

I am committed to leading on the further professionalisation of the early learning and care workforce. All childcare staff currently have qualifications of a least a level 5, with 25% of the staff having degrees. I want to increase the proportion of graduates in this sector to ensure that we retain staff and that they have rewarding and fulfilling careers. The workforce development planning group will publish an interim report by the end of this year and a final report in 2021. The final report will set out a series of actions to ensure that by 2028, 50% of staff in the sector are graduates and that there is an attractive career structure with clear career pathways and a funded and accessible continuous professional development, CPD, programme for staff.

The Opposition has accurately pointed out that Ireland has low staff wages in the childcare sector. This has to change if we are to show that we value this workforce and if we are to attract and retain staff. The staff need to be rewarded appropriately.

I am fully committed to the introduction of a mechanism to determine minimum rates of pay and terms and conditions of employment for childcare practitioners. I am fully committed to working with sectoral representatives to deliver this and will meet with SIPTU this week to progress this further.

I already mentioned the Covid crisis. Deputies may be aware from media reports that a person who works in the childcare service has been confirmed as having Covid-19. The HSE has been involved, as has Tusla's early years inspectorate. My officials have been assured by them that all necessary actions have been taken. In times such as this, our concern is for any person impacted and to ensure that the necessary actions have been taken to prevent any spread of the virus. Guidance made available by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, HPSC, the regulator, Tusla, and my Department has proven valuable in ensuring the appropriate management of the case. I hope Deputies will understand that it is not possible to comment on individual cases, but I want to assure Members that the HSE and Tusla have been involved and that all appropriate action has been taken.

I realise there is much to be done in the childcare sector. We have set out clear commitments in the programme for Government outlining the type of childcare system we want to provide. We are already taking action to develop the new national childcare agency, Childcare Ireland. Work is ongoing to create a funding model that, with additional investment, will deliver affordability to parents while creating a workforce structure that appropriately values the staff working in the sector. I am heartened there is broad agreement on the challenges facing us and the urgency in addressing them. I look forward to engaging with all political parties and all stakeholders to develop a more affordable early learning and childcare system for everybody and delivered by a more valued workforce.

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