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

My focus and that of the Department is on supporting the delivery of the ERO and I do not wish to second-guess that process. I genuinely do not know of a way that we can as effectively support better pay for staff without an ERO being in place. That is why all our focus has to be on that mechanism. I welcome the Deputy's support for the ERO.

The Deputy is correct. Staff have felt undervalued. When one take account of what many of them are being paid, one can see that they are undervalued. That is certainly one of the things that has been raised with me by the childcare professionals I have met in my constituency or while travelling around the country. On the idea of having an entry rate, the ERO has set it at €13 an hour. It is more than the living wage, but it is a starting rate. There is a need for additional rates for those who have a graduate qualification or are room leaders or deputy managers. It is also about wider supports such as continued professional development, and financial support for that, as set out in the workforce development plan, Nurturing Skills.

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