A survey conducted by SIPTU has found that 41% of childcare professionals are actively seeking a job in another sector. It also found that childcare managers have indicated major difficulties in the recruitment of staff. This should not come as a shock to the Government because early years professionals are very poorly paid and their conditions are in need of massive improvement. Indeed, the vast majority of childcare workers struggle to make ends meet. They regularly do work for which they are not paid and, astonishingly, only 10% have paid maternity leave. Their skill, professionalism, expertise and the contribution they make to the forming and education of young children are invaluable. Their pay and conditions have to be addressed as a matter of urgency. Staffing has gone beyond the crisis point in the sector. Fair pay scales and a career path for early years professionals are urgently needed. When will this happen?

In the budget we took a major step forward in providing funding to deal with pay and conditions within the early childcare sector. I agree that career pathways have to be developed in early education and early childcare. The funding has increased dramatically, from approximately €69 million to €207 million through to 2023, to facilitate that. A joint labour committee has been formed and there will be engagement between employers and trade unions. The trade unions will be well aware of the provision. I want the mechanisms of the joint labour committee to get going so we can get this stage of investment in childcare organised by the autumn, and then in the budget do even more for childcare in terms of affordability, access and provision.