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The minister’s recommendation follows a commitment in the programme for government to set up a joint labour committee (JLC) for the sector.
A joint labour committee would enable Siptu and Childhood Services Ireland of Ibec to negotiate an employment regulation order for the sector.
This would set standard and legally binding pay and conditions for staff across the sector.
“While there is still a distance to travel, today marks an important milestone in our journey towards improved pay and conditions for those working in the sector,” said Mr O’Gorman.
“Finding an appropriate mechanism to address pay and conditions is key to the ongoing professionalisation of the sector, and will underpin the delivery of quality services for children and families.”
A report on low pay levels and working conditions in the childcare sector is to be given to the Department of Children in the coming days, the minister has said.
Roderic O’Gorman, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, said the report will outline the issues and solutions to pay and conditions for workers in the sector.
The department appointed former Labour Court chairman and barrister Dr Kevin Duffy to be the independent chairman of the process.
“In December, 2020, working in partnership with (unions) Siptu, Childhood Services Ireland and Ibec, I began a short process in which interested parties were invited to discuss how best to address issues of pay and conditions in the sector, and how a joint labour committee might support this,” Mr O’Gorman told the Dail.
Childhood Services Ireland cautiously welcome childcare funding arrangements for February
Reporter:
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Childhood Services Ireland, the Ibec group representing the Irish childcare sector, has cautiously welcomed the Department of Children’s funding arrangements for the childcare sector up to March 5.
The group says that while there are a number of critical areas where further detail from the Department is urgently needed for providers to make informed decisions, the package should see providers through the next six weeks.
Under the terms of the funding
arrangements, services which remain open will continue to receive 100% of their NCS and other legacy scheme funding, 70% of ECCE funding, and continue to receive the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) at the enhanced rate.
Cautious welcome given to lockdown funding for childcare sector
Reporter: );
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Childhood Services Ireland, the Ibec group representing the Irish childcare sector, has today cautiously welcomed the Department of Children’s funding arrangements for the childcare sector up to March 5.
The group says that while there are a number of critical areas where further detail from the Department is urgently needed for providers to make informed decisions, the package should see providers through the next six weeks.
Under the terms of the funding arrangements, services which remain open will continue to receive 100% of their NCS and other legacy scheme funding, 70% of ECCE funding, and continue to receive the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) at the enhanced rate.