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

I thank the Minister. The review into core funding in the programme for Government commitments is very important. I am concerned that the money being earmarked for pay is not being reflected in the pay deals. I spoke previously about my concern regarding the pay talks and the JLC process that is in place because of the way in which it is designed in terms of pay increases for early years educators. The last pay increase for early years educators amounted to 65 cent. It took 14 months to negotiate that and it ended up in the Labour Court because agreement could not be reached. My concern is about the level of funding and the percentage of core funding that is supposed to be earmarked for wages and pay, and what is coming out of that process, because it does not add up given the previous pay increase of 65 cent. I am concerned about the inefficient use of the money that was announced in the budget and how it comes to pass in terms of these talks.

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