Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I wish to express my continued commitment to improving pay and conditions for early years educators and school-age childcare practitioners through the provision of public funding to Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) service providers via the Core Funding scheme, to support the outcomes of the Joint Labour Committee negotiation process.

I met with the members of the Joint Labour Committee (JLC) for Early Years Services in May 2023 to outline the Government's commitment to the development and funding of the ELC and SAC sector, most notably the commitment of over €1 billion to the sector in Budget 2023.

On 10th January 2024, the JLC published draft proposals for new Employment Regulation Orders (EROs) that would set new, higher, minimum rates of pay for ELC and SAC workers. The draft revised EROs propose a 5% increase in minimum pay rates for all roles, following Labour Court recommendations.

Publication of the proposals allowed for public submissions of representations in relation to the proposals, for the JLC to review. This consultation process closed at the end of January. It is my understanding that the JLC is continuing to meet in relation to the new draft ERO proposals.

In line with the provisions of the Industrial Relations Acts, the JLC is independent in its functions, and I do not have a role in its statutory processes. However, I hope we will see positive outcomes from the negotiations soon, in order to continue to improve wages and working conditions in the sector.