Minister Joe O’Brien welcomes new pay agreement from Minister Roderic O’Gorman to provide pay increase for the early learning and childcare workforce

Today (4th June, 2024), Minister of State for Community Development, Charities and Integration, Joe O’Brien TD welcomes the new pay agreement which will see a pay increase for the early learning and childcare workforce.

The Employment Regulation Orders apply to approximately 33,000 educators and it is estimated that 53% of those working in the sector will see their wages rise as a result of the new Employment Regulation Orders.

Welcoming the announcement, Minister Joe O’Brien said:

“I welcome this development in increasing pay to those working in childcare and early learning, who do incredible work supporting children in their development. My colleague Roderic O’Gorman has worked hard to improve the sector for children, parents and workers and I am pleased to see these improvements come to fruition through this new agreement.”

Minister Roderic O’Gorman TD, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has welcomed the acceptance of the Early Years Services Employment Regulation Orders as they will deliver improved pay and conditions, will support career pathways, and will help to support the recruitment and retention of early years educators and school-age childcare practitioners.

Minister O’Gorman said:

“Since becoming Minister, I have prioritised improving the pay and conditions of those working with children as I believe early years educators’ and school-age childcare practitioners’ pay and conditions should reflect the importance of the work they do.”

“Improvement in pay and conditions is essential if we are to recognise the important work that is done every day by those who work in this sector. It is also essential if we are to improve recruitment and retention and raise the profile of careers in the sector. And it is essential if we are to support the ongoing professionalisation of the sector.

“While I very much welcome this, I recognise that pay in the sector still remains relatively low, however I remain committed to supporting further improvements in pay and conditions and aim to do this through Core Funding which, this year alone will increase by 15% to €331 million on last years allocation.

“I would like to acknowledge the independent nature of the Labour Court and Joint Labour Committee process and the hard work of its members in negotiating the pay and conditions for employees in the early learning and childcare sector and I look forward to seeing further positive negotiations from this process in the future.”