Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister and welcome the information he gave. As we have said, despite their qualifications, most early years professionals are earning below the living wage of €12.40 an hour. That is unacceptable. I welcome the Minister's reference to a new funding model. Will that model include a clear career path for educators and a clear guide to supports for providers struggling to sustain businesses under a significant administrative burden, which includes inspections, increased commercial rates and insurance costs? There are many issues on which we need to give confidence to childcare providers, parents and staff. That is going to be very important.

This is a vital sector and it must be supported. The Minister said he will look for more funding from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Michael McGrath. I will be speaking to the latter in the next few days. The budget for 2022 will be crucial in this regard. I know how dedicated the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, is and how important the sector is to him. We need to get the funding right and ensure the sector is not underfunded into the future.

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