Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator O'Loughlin for raising this Commencement matter on this very important area. She has outlined very clearly the importance of the Government focusing its work on this space, in conjunction with the private sector. I am pleased she indicated that in the most recent budget, and preceding ones, funding was increased to the sector, which was very important. The focus was on quality, policy and so on but, as the Senator correctly stated, we need to address career paths and terms and conditions and also give certainty to the many highly-qualified staff who work in the sector and provide significant assistance and service to all of us. Childcare is a very important area and I am pleased we have such professional people working in the sector.

On the process, I am pleased that a commitment was made in the programme for Government to support the establishment of a joint labour committee in the childcare sector and the drawing up of an employment regulation order, which will determine minimum rates of pay for childcare workers, as well as terms and conditions of employment. The reason it was set up was to address the issues Senator O'Loughlin raises, but also to recognise that it is a complex area because the sector receives a combination of public and private funding. The JLC model has worked extremely well in other areas such as agriculture, catering, contract cleaning, hairdressing, security and so on. It is a good way of doing business in other sectors, including hotels, among others, to bring the parties together to have a conversation around a table and get everybody's agreement.

The Minister of State, Deputy Troy, updated the House in February on the process. Since then I understand the joint labour committee for the early learning and care and school-age childcare sector, which is independently chaired, has met a number of times and is progressing its work. I can confirm that the JLC has published its draft proposals and issued an invitation to any interested persons to submit written submissions to it by not later than the close of business on 31 May 2022. These proposals are available on the Labour Court's website. I encourage all interested parties to have a read the proposals and to make their submissions in the next two weeks.

Proposals for an employment regulation order are formulated in the first instance by a JLC where it is satisfied that such proposals would promote harmonious relations between workers and employers. The Labour Court then considers whether to adopt the proposals. In doing so, it will also need to invite submissions from the public. If the Labour Court, having complied with its statutory functions, is satisfied that the proposals are in a suitable form for adoption, it will adopt and submit them to me as the Minister of State with responsibility for this area. My role is to consider the recommendations against the statutory process. If I am satisfied that the process has been complied with and it is appropriate to make an order, I will give effect to an employment regulation order, which would bring a solution to the sector. The timeline for this is approximately six to seven weeks. I see no reason that this cannot be dealt with in the next two months. That is where the process is at currently.