New minimum hourly rates of pay are imminent.
The Government is set to introduce what officials have described as a "historic" new employment agreement that will usher in pay increases and wage structure for the early learning and childcare sector.
On Wednesday (7 September), Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail formally accepted proposals for Employment Regulation Orders for the Early Years Services Sector. The orders will come into effect on Thursday, 15 September.
The orders apply to approximately 27,000 staff throughout Ireland. Once established, the orders will introduce new minimum hourly rates of pay for various roles in the Early Years Services Sector. The rates are as follows:
- €13.00 for Early Years Educators/ School-Age Childcare practitioners
- €14.00 for Early Years Lead Educators / School-Age Childcare co-ordinators
- €15.50 Graduate Early Years Lead Educators / School-Age Childcare co-ordinators
- €15.70 for Deputy Managers
- €16.50 for Managers
- €17.25 for Graduate Managers
The orders arrive in tandem with the Government's €221 million Core Funding Scheme, announced by Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth as part of Budget 2022.
"I have always said that I believe early years educators and school-age childcare practitioners need their pay and conditions to reflect the importance of the work they do," said Minister O'Gorman.
"Today’s announcement is a historic first step towards that."
The Government estimates that 73% of those working in the sector will see their wages rise as a result of the Employment Regulation Orders, with the wages of 50% of employees in the sector expected to rise by 10% or more, and the wages of 20% of employees are expected to rise by 20% or more.
Minister English that the proposals submitted to his office represent "a welcome acknowledgement of the importance of the work carried out by everyone working in the early learning and childcare sector".
