Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am pleased to raise the hugely important issue of early years childcare services and the need to provide adequate funding in the next budget to ensure sustainable and accessible childcare services for 2022 at least. I do not say it lightly but there is a crisis in the sector. Early years educators are expected to work for approximately €12 per hour. That is untenable. Is it any wonder up to 50% are actively looking for employment elsewhere? Early years professionals, 98% of whom are women, are among the lowest-paid workers in Ireland with 50% earning below the living wage. That is the value we put on early years education. In the Netherlands, the hourly wage is €26 per hour. In France, it is almost €20. In Germany, it is €18. In Ireland, it is €12. An additional €75 million is the minimum needed to improve pay scales and to ensure all staff earn above the living wage.

Parents in Ireland pay the highest fees in the EU. They are, on average, about €184 per week. Compare that to Sweden, which I acknowledge is at the lower end, where childcare costs €31 per week. If the Minister were to invest a further €75 million in the upcoming budget, it would help ensure affordability for parents and, therefore, access to high quality, sustainable services. I seek the Minister's commitment on that.

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