Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

112. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide an update on progressing employment regulation orders to attract and retain early years educators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16273/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

A Joint Labour Committee (JLC) is an independent body made up of equal numbers of employer and worker representatives. A JLC sets the employment conditions and minimum rates of pay for employees in a certain sector. The role of a JLC is set out in the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2012.

JLCs are independent in their functions. If a JLC adopts proposals for an Employment Regulation Order (ERO) for a sector, it will submit them to the Labour Court for consideration. The Labour Court will then make a decision on the adoption of the proposals. If the Court decides to adopt the proposals, a copy is presented to the Minister and, if I consider it appropriate to do so, I will make an ERO giving effect to the proposals.

I have not received proposals from the Labour Court in relation to a new ERO for Early Years Services. The most recent EROs for the sector came into effect on 24 June 2024 and are available on my Department's website: SI No 296 and 297 of 2024 Employment Regulation (Amendment) Orders (Early Years’ Service Joint Labour Committee) - DETE.