Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent)
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1913.To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the fact that early childhood care education learning educators are unhappy with the lack of recognition of the sector; if he will take steps to ensure that they are fully recognised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33033/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I acknowledge that those working in the Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) sector do not receive the recognition they deserve. The role of the early years educator and school-age childcare practitioner are valuable ones and they play an important part in supporting children's development, learning and care.

In line with commitments in First 5, in December 2021, I launched Nurturing Skills: The Workforce Plan for Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC), 2022-2028. Nurturing Skills aims to strengthen the ongoing process of professionalisation for those working in ELC and SAC and to raise the profile of careers in the sector. It includes a career framework and commitments to support early years educators to upskill and develop their careers. It also includes commitments to strengthen continuing professional development for staff working in the sector. Qualifications are seen as a key driver to professionalise the sector and improve the recognition and status of the profession.

Improving pay and conditions in the sector is one way to recognise these vital roles. As the State does not employ staff in ELC and SAC services, neither I nor my Department set wage levels or determine working conditions for staff in the sector.

However, there is now, through the independent Joint Labour Committee (JLC) process, a formal mechanism established by which employer and employee representatives can negotiate terms and conditions of employment including minimum pay rates for different roles in ELC and SAC services.

This process provided the first ever Employment Regulation Orders for the sector, which came into effect in September 2022.

Recently, the Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail accepted proposals for new Employment Regulation Orders for the Early Years Services Sector. The Orders commenced on 24 June 2024 and increased the minimum hourly rates of pay for all grades. In addition, the Orders removed the requirement for graduates to have 3 years’ experience before they are eligible for graduate minimum pay rates. It is estimated that 53% of those working in the sector will see their wages rise as a result of the new Employment Regulation Orders.

Outcomes from the JLC process are supported by the Government through the Core Funding scheme, which has an allocation for this programme year alone of €287 million and will again increase this allocation by a further 15%, for the third year of the scheme, to €331 million.

Complementing wider Departmental policies to improve pay and working conditions, to support recruitment and retention, and to streamline administration and regulation, earlier this year I launched Equal Start, which includes a commitment to roll out well-being supports for educators and practitioners and supports for early learning and childcare settings to enable more supportive working environments to be created for staff.