The ELC and SAC workforce

ECI, Pobal, the DES and Ibec called for increased investment in continuous professional development opportunities for the ELC and SAC sector. The DES called for continued close collaboration in designing a Workforce Development Plan for the sector, as well as in the resourcing and implementation of that plan. ICTU suggested that the Department address a lack of workforce representation in the Workforce Expert Group, and recommended the inclusion of Trade Unions and a sector professional body. Both ICTU and Barnados mentioned low wages and high turnover among the ELC and SAC workforce, and suggested that the various wage subsidy schemes introduced during the pandemic could become a template for subsiding staff salaries under the reformed system. ICTU suggested that DCEDIY could assume responsibility for funding the wages of ELSAC workers, and create a Joint Labour Committee for the sector.

ECI recommended organising pay scales and employment benefits in line with primary school teachers. They also recommended that staff have funded time to implement Aistear and Síolta and engage in research and professional dialogue. Pobal called for the provision of tools to support skills development, such as “the ‘My Journey’ Distance Travelled Tool” developed for the SICAP programme. Tusla and the DES called for the expansion and enhanced capacity of the Early Years Inspectorate, with Tusla requesting a commitment to the inspection of SAC settings. Meanwhile, Ibec recommended streamlining the inspectorates to ensure a multidisciplinary, consistent approach for all providers, and called for parents to be provided with access to the outcomes of inspections.

SJI and ECI both recommended that the Department focus on the “important role” of childminders in the new ELC and SAC system. ECI recommended that childminders are “offered the choice to participate in the new public system” so that “parents who are not able to pay for private settings will also be able to choose the type of service that best fits the needs of their children”. ECI also recommended the publication of the Childminding Action Plan; the introduction of a statutory scheme of registration; and the provision of training and advice on legal requirements (e.g. Garda Vetting) for childminders.