Sir, – Your recent article on the pay negotiations for early years and school-age care professionals (“Thousands of creche and early education staff to be balloted on pay proposals”, July 17th) rightly asks who should fund improved pay. The answer is simple: the Government.
One must also question why this essential workforce remains at the mercy of two annual processes, the joint labour committee’s deliberations, as outlined in the article, and the budget. No other part of the education system is expected to rely on year-to-year funding decisions.
Yet every year, one group of educators waits to learn what lies ahead, while key benefits such as annual increments, pensions and maternity leave top-ups continue to remain out of reach.
This cycle must be ended with a commitment from Government to bring the early years and school-age care workforce into public sector pay and conditions, starting with graduates.
RM Block
Significantly investing in this vital workforce would also send an important signal that we as a society recognise the value of our educators and their instrumental role in the lives of young children. – Yours, etc,
FRANCES BYRNE
Director of Policy,
Early Childhood Ireland
Tallaght,
Dublin 24.
