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

This is an issue I have raised on a number of occasions with the Minister. I welcome the fact she has met and engaged with the JLC and that she has gone further than that in asking it to utilise the €45 million because it is key we improve pay for the early years educators.

We know staff turnover in the early years sector is really high. I got a breakdown, county by county. The annual turnover in private providers is up on 54% in some counties. That is good early years educators leaving the sector. It means more waiting lists for children trying to get places. It means more rooms closed in childcare facilities at a time when there is so much demand.

If we do not get pay right for early years educators, we will not have the necessary number of childcare facilities we desperately need. I welcome the Minister's move in that regard and we should take the opportunity to call on them for the talks to conclude and for that full amount to be-----

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