Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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187. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the progress made to establish childcare Ireland; his plans to establish career pathways including professional pay and conditions for childcare educators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27630/20]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Government has committed to establishing a dedicated agency, Childcare Ireland which was outlined in the 2020 Programme for Government. It is envisaged that Childcare Ireland will assist in expanding high quality childcare, best practice and innovation in community and private childcare settings. Childcare Ireland will also be tasked with developing career paths for childcare staff and for expansion of the Early Years Curriculum, Síolta.

In 'First Five, the Whole of Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families', published in November 2018, the Department committed to complete a comprehensive review of the operating model for Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) in this country.

The review's objective is to ensure that the operating system is equipped to implement the Departmental policy to the scale and standards required in a sector which has seen substantial growth in the past two decades, with the citizens of Ireland at its heart as core beneficiaries.

The final operating system will support high quality, accessible and affordable ELC and SAC services to children and families through the efficient and effective administration of a number of programmes, schemes, quality initiatives, and other functions such a compliance and communications.

This operating model will support service providers, operate transparently and accountably, provide value for money to the Exchequer and demonstrate good governance. The model will also enable appropriate linkages and effective working relationships with all other agencies and Departments charged with delivering better outcomes for children and families.

Preparatory work for the review has been undertaken and the first meeting of the Interdepartmental Group to oversee the review will take place in October. The review will conclude in July 2021. The review will be led by the Department, with appropriate assistance from external bodies, secured by tender. In addition, the Department will engage with all relevant stakeholders during the process.

The review will aim to explore a variety of options in relation to how best the ELC and SAC operating system can be overseen by the DCYA in the coming years. It is envisaged that the analysis carried out through the review will provide a robust evidence base to inform a decision concerning the establishment of Childcare Ireland and the range of functions it may provide and ultimately the role it will play in the Childcare sector.

I acknowledge that low pay and poor working conditions in the sector remain a serious concern and impact on the quality of provision to children through their effect on the recruitment and retention of qualified staff. The lack of consistency of care caused by high staff turnover impacts directly on quality, while low wages are a constraint on plans to upskill and professionalise the workforce. I have met with employee and employer representatives on a number of occasions and have listened to their concerns.

However, as the State is not the employer, my Department does not pay the wages of staff working in early learning and care settings, and cannot set wage levels or determine working conditions for these staff.

In terms of policy approaches, work continues to progress the Workforce Development Plan, which will set out plans to raise the profile of careers in the sector, establishing role profiles, career pathways, qualifications requirements, and associated policy mechanisms along with leadership development opportunities and working towards a more gender-balanced and diverse workforce.

I launched an extensive consultation with the sector on the Workforce Development Plan on 19 August. The consultation process includes a call for submissions/survey which is available to anyone who wishes to provide feedback. On 22 September, I addressed an online information webinar on the consultation process, which was very well attended. This event provided an update to the sector on the consultation process and how those working in the sector can take part.