Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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517. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to introduce a sectoral employment order for workers in the early years preschool sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43901/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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As the Government is not an employer of workers in the early years pre-school sector it is very constrained in what it can do in regard to pay and conditions. It does, however, accept that it is a major funder of the childcare sector and, as such, has a role to play. It is important to note that the most important stakeholders in putting agreed pay structures in place in any sector are recognised employers and employee groups.

My Department is aware that trade unions are active in seeking to achieve a critical mass of representation on the employee side and welcomes this move. My Department would also be supportive of any move on the employer side to establish a recognised representative body. In terms of improving pay and conditions I have suggested to the sector that they could apply to the Labour Court for a Sectoral Employment Order (SEO), asking the Court to make a recommendation in relation to pay for the whole early years' sector. Under a SEO process, organisations substantially representative of employers and employees come together to agree a way forward and submissions are sought from key stakeholders.

It should be highlighted that my Department would have no role in relation to the SEO process, however, as a significant funder, and with policy responsibility for quality, my Department would be well placed to make a submission to the Court once it publishes its notice in relation to the matter of the application for a SEO for the sector.