Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 September 2026
158. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to increase funding in Budget 2027 for the early childhood sector to provide pay parity for graduates, increased graduate premium and in-service training. [69048/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraPay 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.
Although the Government is the primary funder of the sector, it is not the employer and cannot directly set wages or conditions for any 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, and is independent in its functions.
Pay and conditions are improving. Through the work of the Joint Labour Committee and successive Employment Regulation Orders, minimum pay rates have now risen three times in four years, delivering an average 15% increase in minimum rates of pay. This marks significant progress in professionalising the workforce. The latest Employment Regulation Orders came into effect in October 2025 which saw an increase in minimum pay rates of, on average, 10% and is estimated to have increased pay for over 67% of staff in the sector.
Outcomes from the Joint Labour Committee process are supported by Government through Core Funding. For programme year 2026/2027, which commenced on September 1st, Core Funding has increased by 23% to €480 million. Included in this is €45 million that has been ringfenced from September to support services in meeting the potential costs of increasing rates of pay, contingent upon new Employment Regulation Orders being enacted following successful negotiations by the independent Joint Labour Committee. In addition, partner services receive a Graduate Lead Educator Premium and Graduate Manager Premium payment at the hourly rate of €4.44 in respect of their graduate-led ELC provision.
I have been made aware that the Joint Labour Committee has recently put forward new proposals for an increase to minimum rates of on average over 6% for Early Years Educators and School-Age Childcare Practitioners. It is estimated that approximately 65% of those roles covered by the Joint Labour Committee may benefit from this increase which represents a significant step toward ensuring fair pay for educators and practitioners working in the sector.
I would like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the Independent Joint Labour Committee in these negotiations. 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.
In line with the programme for government, I am committed to continuing to support the Employment Regulation Orders process to attract and retain early years educators.
Budget 2027 is currently being considered by Government in the context of the annual estimates process, which officials in the Department are actively engaging in. Therefore, the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage.
