Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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1428. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on a campaign organised by a group (details supplied) regarding early years workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36055/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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It is important that we acknowledge the role played by staff working the childcare sector. Childcare workers play a critical role in delivering high quality childcare services and they deserve to be recognised, valued and respected for this. I do, however, acknowledge that pay and conditions are major issues facing the sector and can lead to difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff. My Department is engaging with colleagues in relevant Departments and with the early year’s sector to explore how this might be addressed in the short, medium and long term.

While the Government is somewhat constrained in what it can do in this regard as it is not an employer of childcare workers, it does accept that it is a major funder of the childcare sector, and as such has a role to play. It is important to note however, that the most important stakeholders in putting agreed pay structures in place in any sector are recognised employers and employee groups. I am aware that trade unions are active in seeking to achieve a critical mass of representation on the employee side and I welcome this move. I would also be supportive of any move on the employer side to establish a recognised representative body.