Zappone to explore ways to improve pay in childcare sector

Minister says Government cannot be ‘oblivious’ to needs of providers of vital service

New approaches must be explored to improve the pay and conditions of those working in the childcare sector, Minister for Children Katherine Zappone has said.

She told the Dáil that while the Government was not the employer, it would be unacceptable if it were oblivious to the needs of people who provided such a vital service to the children, parents and families.

Ms Zappone said one approach would be a sectoral employment order, through either the Workplace Relations Commission or the Labour Court, allowing employers and employees to agree a way forward.

“Let me assure the House my department would make a submission to such a process, and make its expertise available to help achieve an outcome agreeable to all,’’ she added.

Ms Zappone said overall State spending on childcare this year was € 466 million, which represented a 79 per cent increase on the 2015 total.

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