Labour body proposes 10% rise in minimum pay for childcare workers

By Cillian Sherlock, PA

A 10 per cent increase in minimum rates of pay for childcare workers has been proposed by the Joint Labour Committee.

Minister for Children Norma Foley welcomed the development, after highlighting that not all of a €45 million ring-fenced allocation was being used for pay and conditions.

The proposals have been put forward by the Joint Labour Committee, which is made up of employer and worker representatives.

It has the responsibility for setting minimum rates of pay for over 35,000 staff in the early years and childcare sector.

The changes would be part of an employment regulation order (ERO) which is a mechanism to set the minimum rates of pay and conditions for workers in a specified business sector.

The order is drawn up by a Joint Labour Committee and signed into law by the Minister for Enterprise.

Ms Foley said: “The new proposals for a 10 per cent increase in minimum pay represent a significant step toward ensuring fair pay for educators and practitioners working in the sector.

“I am committed to ensuring the successful implementation of these proposals by providing a ring-fenced allocation of €45 million from Core Funding.

“It has been specifically earmarked to support services in meeting the cost of the proposed increases in pay and conditions.”

Recently, Ms Foley met with the Joint Labour Committee to highlight the availability of this €45 million in core funding from the State for increased pay for staff in the early years and childcare sector.

She said: “I would like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the Joint Labour Committee in these negotiations and their vital role in advancing the professionalism and value of those working in the sector.

“If these proposals are implemented through updated Employment Regulation Orders, they will bring much-needed improvements in pay for these dedicated professionals, enhancing the quality of care and education provided to children across Ireland.

“I am hopeful that these proposals will soon come into effect, marking a positive change for our dedicated and skilled staff in the early learning and childcare sector and the services that employ them.”

Fine Gael spokeswoman for childcare Emer Currie welcomed that a proposal had been agreed.

“We continue to see progress in recognising the vital role of our childcare educators and practitioners,” she said.

“Staffing remains one of the key issues facing the sector.

“It’s important that pay remains on the agenda in the short-term as part of the review of core funding and long-term too as the Government considers how State-led facilities take shape.”