Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

My biggest concern is that there is no job security. There is no professional progression. The workers are being paid the minimum wage and many of them are being paid below the living wage. As I said, most of these families entrust their children to the childcare workers. The childcare sector has been underfunded for many years and as a result, Ireland is ranked as the lowest country in the EU for investment in this vital area. The Government needs to invest in the area. We need to get the right people looking after our children. It is very important that we do this right.

An expert group was set up back in 2019. I ask the Minister provide me with an update on what is happening with that group. It was supposed to examine the issue of funding and the Minister mentioned a figure in relation to that. We need to get the right people into the childcare profession. My biggest fear, with the current shortage in staff, is that these people may be persuaded to go elsewhere. We need proper professionals in the sector.

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