Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North-West, Fianna Fail)
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295. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will provide an update on the pay increase for early childhood educators as agreed in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53991/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Pay is one of a number of issues impacting the early learning and care and school-age childcare workforce. The level of pay for early years educators and school-age childcare practitioners 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 the Department can set wage levels or determine working conditions for staff in the sector.

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. In this programme year 2025/26 Core Funding will increase by 6% to €350 million with an additional €45 million in ring-fenced Core Funding provided to support early learning and care services in meeting the increased cost of minimum pay rates in the sector.

As announced on Friday the Minister of State for Employment, Small Business and Retail Alan Dillon has confirmed his intention to sign a new Employment Order for Early Years Educators and School-Age Practitioners.

The Order will revoke the 2024 Order currently in operation for the sector and will commence on 13th October 2025.

It will provide for increases in new minimum hourly rates of pay as follows:

• Early Years Educators and School Age Childcare (SAC) Practitioners - from €13.65 currently to €15.00 per hour;
• Early Years Lead Educators (Room Leaders) and School Age Childcare (SAC) Coordinators – from €14.70 currently to €16.00 per hour;
• Early Years Graduate Lead Educators (Room Leaders) and Graduate School Age Childcare (SAC) Coordinators – from €16.28 currently to €17.50 per hour;
• Deputy/Assistant Manager – from €16.49 currently to €18.00 per hour;
• Centre Manager - from €17.33 currently to €19.00 per hour;
• Graduate Centre Manager from €18.11 currently to €20.25 per hour.