Written answers

Tuesday, 12 December 2017

Department of Children and Youth Affairs

Child Care Services Staff

Photo of Anne RabbitteAnne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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465. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the progress made on the sectoral employment order for the early years sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52706/17]

Photo of Anne RabbitteAnne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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466. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the measures she is undertaking to improve the pay and conditions for those working in the early years sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52707/17]

Photo of Katherine ZapponeKatherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 465 and 466 together.

Childcare workers play a critical role in delivering high quality childcare services and they deserve to be recognised, valued and respected for this. My Department acknowledges that pay and conditions are major issues facing the sector and can lead to difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff.

My Department is somewhat constrained in what it can do in this regard as it is not an employer of childcare workers. However it is of course a major funder of the childcare sector. 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, I welcome 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 it might 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 an SEO process, organisations substantially representative of employers and employees come together to agree a way forward and submissions are sought from key stakeholders. While my Department would have no direct role in relation to the SEO process, as a significant funder, and with policy responsibility for quality, it would be well placed to make a submission to the Court once it publishes its notice in relation to the application for a SEO for the sector.

In the interim, the last three Budgets have increased investment in Early Years by some 87%. This has helped us to address affordability, access and quality, although I recognise that there is more to be done. This year's announcement of a 7% increase in ECCE capitation is intended to support the workforce. The €18m in 2017 to support 'non-contact time' or the administration burden associated with the scheme, is also intended to support providers and their employees.

I will be very supportive of any reasonable measures aimed at improving pay and conditions of the Early Years sector. While I don't have a direct control over the matter, I will continue, with my Department, to support any appropriate initiatives in this area.

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