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

The Senator raised a couple of issues. I will address the funding. Public funding has increased significantly in the past seven or eight years, and rightly so. There is also significant private funding in this area as well as funding from families. It is not all Government funding, but it is certainly Government assisted. As I said, I think it is possible for the process to be completed in the next couple of months in time for budget negotiations and completion of the budget. However, I am not convinced it will be July. I do not want to pre-empt the work the Labour Court has to do, but a key part of this is that the JLC's public submissions will be finished by the end of May and it will bring its work to the Labour Court. It is possible that this process will be completed in July and I see no reason for it not to be completed in time to feed into the budget negotiations. That would be useful because an agreement on the employment regulations would be very beneficial to the sector as it would mean employees and employers are in agreement on bringing this matter forward and all the relevant stakeholders are at one. That would certainly help to drive on the development of the sector as one with career choice and a roadmap for career development.

The establishment of the JLC for the sector, following a programme for Government commitment, is a significant and welcome development. I am pleased that it was in the programme for Government and also that there is a commitment from the three parties in government to continue funding in this sector and increase benefits. I am very pleased that bodies representing employers and employees have engaged with the JLC process, as there can be significant positive benefits for both parties. An agreement on a new set of terms and conditions of employment will help maintain and grow the talented pool of people working in the sector, as well as providing security and opportunity for career development in the early learning and care and school-age childcare sector.