Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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75. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress by the Joint Labour Committee on pay and conditions in the early years sector; when the process will conclude; the way the Government will act thereafter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48679/21]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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In June of this year I made an Order establishing the Early Years’ Service Joint Labour Committee 2021. Following the making of the Order, a Chair and Deputy Chair to the JLC was appointed. This was done on the 8 July 2021.

In accordance with the Fifth Schedule to the Industrial Relations Act 1990, the Court is required to appoint such number of employer representatives as it thinks fit to the Joint Labour Committee who in the opinion of the Court represent employers in relation to whom the committee is to operate. The Court is further empowered to appoint an equal number of worker members who in the opinion of the Court represent workers in relation to whom the committee is to operate.

A Division of the Court is currently in the process of doing this.

Proposals for an ERO are formulated in the first instance by a JLC where it is satisfied that such proposals would promote harmonious relations between workers and employees.

The Labour Court then considers whether or not to adopt the proposals of a JLC. If the Labour Court is satisfied that the proposals are in a suitable form for adoption, the Labour Court adopts the proposals and submits to me. If I am satisfied that the relevant legislative requirements have been met; and it is appropriate to make an Order, I will then give effect to the proposals through the making of an Employment Regulation Order.