Robert O'Donoghue (Dublin Fingal West, Labour)
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1932. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she is aware of the growing frustration among a union (details supplied) and early years educators due to the lack of progress on the new employment regulation order; if she has engaged with the employer representatives on the Joint Labour Committee to stress the urgency of concluding this process; the actions her Department is taking to protect the €45 million in ring-fenced funding for pay increases in the sector, particularly given that €860,000 per week—or €3.6 million per month—may be lost as a result of continued delays by employer groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20706/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The level of pay for staff in the sector does not reflect the value of their work for children, families, society and the economy.

As the State is not the employer of staff in the sector, neither I nor my Department can set their pay or determine working conditions.

The Joint Labour Committee is the formal mechanism established by which employer and employee representatives can negotiate minimum pay rates, which are set down in Employment Regulation Orders.

I acknowledge the Joint Labour Committee is independent in its functions, and I do not have a role in its statutory negotiation processes.

However, outcomes from the Joint Labour Committee process are supported by Government through Core Funding which, in the programme year 2025/26 will increase by 6% to €350 million.

An additional €45 million has been ringfenced to support employers meet the costs of further increases to the minimum rates of pay and is contingent on updated Employment Regulation Orders.

I recently met with Joint Labour Committee representatives, to acknowledge the Committee's important role and to outline the Government’s continued support for the sector as a whole and, as outlined in the Programme for Government, for the Joint Labour Committee process.

I outlined to representatives that Government expects the funding secured to support the costs of increased minimum pay rates is used for its intended purpose and that any new Employment Regulation Orders would utilise the full amount available.

Data available to my Department shows previous Employment Regulation Orders do not absorb the available Core Funding signalled for staff pay and graduate leaders.

Therefore, it is vitally important that the Committee engage in productive negotiations about ensuring that the high level of investment being made through Core Funding for improved pay is maximised.

I look forward to the Joint Labour Committee negotiated outcomes.