Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response. He will be aware that more than 30,000 people are employed in the childcare sector, most of whom are female. The minimum qualification they hold at the moment is FETAC level 5. Ireland has some of the most highly-rated qualified professionals who are paid some of the lowest wages in any sector, some below the living wage.

The types of people who go into childcare are fantastic, with graduates moving into the sector at the moment. While the Minister might say that his Department may not have responsibility for certain issues, we just need a commitment from him that he will help to implement new pay scales, develop the profession, and make it more feasible for people to get into the profession.

I ask for a commitment from the Minister to implement better pay scales, to help develop the profession and to make it more feasible for people to join the profession. I firmly believe that we are not paying the proper money. I have met many parents and the most important thing for them is that their child is safe and properly looked after. For me, childcare is a vocation for the people who work in the sector. They need to be looked after better.

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