Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 January 2026
1906. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department will recommend the inclusion of the early years sector on the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, critical skills list to address the immediate staffing, retention and recruitment pressures across the early years sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74372/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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. It is acknowledged that those working in the early learning and care and school-age childcare sector do not receive the recognition they deserve.
In a very competitive labour market and with low levels of unemployment, recruitment and retention is a challenge for all employers.
It is acknowledged many early learning and childcare services report recruitment and retention challenges. In general, these challenges are not caused by insufficient supply of staff, but by high levels of turnover.
Data from the 2024 Annual Early Years Sector Profile survey shows the national turnover rate for the sector was approximately 25.8% with 28% of the turnover rate due to staff moving from one provider to another. Although I should note that new data on the number of educators/practitioners working in the sector increased by 10% between 2023 and 2024.
The State’s general policy is to promote the sourcing of labour and skills needs from within the workforce of Ireland, the European Economic Area , the UK or Switzerland. Employment opportunities that arise in Ireland, should, in the main, be offered to suitably skilled Irish and other nationals from the European Economic Area, the UK or Switzerland.
The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment manages the employment permit process to allow non-EEA citizens to work in Ireland by operating a Critical Skills Occupations List and an Ineligible Occupations List.
The lists are subject to regular evidence-based review and the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment carried out a public consultation during 2025 to ensure the employment permits system continues to reflect the needs of Ireland’s labour market.
Officials in the Department of Children, Disability and Equality are aware that submissions were made both supporting and opposing the inclusion of early years educators on the Critical Skills List.
Current data suggests there are sufficient numbers of suitably qualified people in Ireland and the EU to meet the demand for staff in the ELC and SAC sector and recent data from the Annual Early Years Sector Profile data shows a year on year increase of 10% in the number of staff working with children in the sector.
The Department continues to monitor the relevant indicators, engage bilaterally with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and keep the matter under review.
