Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 March 2026
491. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her plans to improve conditions for chefs working in childcare setting given issues that have been raised (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18076/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAlthough the Government is the primary funder of the sector, it is not the employer and cannot directly set wages or conditions for those working 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. However, support staff such as chefs are not included in the scope of these negotiations. Their pay is agreed directly with their employer and governed by the National Minimum Wage Act 2000.
In general, pay is one of a number of challenges 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.
In October last year, new Employment Regulation Orders for Early Years Educators, School-Age Practitioners, Early Years Deputy Managers and Centre Managers commenced on 13th October 2025. They provide for an average of 10% increase to minimum hourly rates of pay. It is estimated that 67% of those working in the sector saw their wages increase as a result of the new minimum pay rates.
Outcomes from the Joint Labour Committee process are supported by Government through Core Funding. In this programme year 2025/26 Core Funding has increased 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.
The Government remains committed to “continue to implement Employment Regulation Orders to attract and retain early years educators”. I recently announced , as part of the launch of Shaping the Future: Early Years Action Plan in December, another allocation of up to €15m of ring-fenced funding from September 2026, which amounts up to €45m for the full programme year, to support service providers with costs associated with possible increases in minimum rates of pay negotiated via the independent Joint Labour Committee process.
