Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In the past three years, core funding of almost €900 million has been provided by the Government. That is an unprecedented level of funding into this area. I hear the Deputy's concerns about issues such as rates of pay. Research tells us that at least 70% of core funding is going on pay.

The State is not the employer and therefore does not set the pay or conditions for employees in either early learning and care or school-age childcare services. In line with the provisions of the Industrial Relations Act, the joint labour committee, which involves union and employer representation and an independent chair, is independent in its functions and neither I nor the Department have a role in its statutory processes. My officials are available to support the joint labour committee in its deliberation, through the provision of information and related data. However, it is a priority to ensure that we have sufficiency of provision and that those who work in the sector are appropriately recompensed, and equally that the sector itself - the providers - is sustainable.

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