More than two in three childcare workers will receive a pay increase this month as the government have set the first ever minimum rates of pay in the sector.
With the signing of an Employment Regulation Order (ERO), an estimated 73% of Early Years workers will receive a pay increase, with half of workers receiving a 10% increase in pay.
Some 20% of childcare workers are expected to see a rise in wages of 20%.
The increases are supported through the Government’s €221m Core Funding Scheme.
Green Party Councillor Karen Power said;
“This is a very welcome move from Minister Roderic O’Gorman. Delivering better pay for childcare workers while cutting the costs for parents have been long-standing objectives of the Green Party. We all know how essential it is to support those working in the caring economy. Our two children attend a creche in Skerries and the staff there are like a second family to them. We need to give our children the best start and to do that we need to help those working in the sector with pay that reflects the importance of that work. This is a move in the right direction.
“This new scheme will provide a solid foundation for the development of a really thriving Early Years sector.”
