Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge that. However, the last pay increase that was achieved was 65 cent. It took 14 months to negotiate it. It could not be done around the table, with workers having to seek assistance from the Labour Court. If they wait another 14 months and get about 60 cent, we will lose the early years educators we desperately need from the sector. There are childcare places that would be available if the providers could staff the rooms, particularly baby rooms. I have seen that in my county of Roscommon, where baby rooms have been closed because the providers cannot get the staff. If we have to wait 14 months for a pay increase for early years educators, given the rise in the living wage that is coming, there will be about 15 cent in the difference between the minimum rate for those workers and the living wage. That is of huge concern if we are to build capacity within the sector.

I welcome what the Minister said in regard to existing buildings. That really needs to be looked at in terms of building capacity and doing so quickly. Using existing buildings is the quickest way to build capacity, particularly in rural areas where it may not be viable for a provider to operate or no provider exists.

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