Nursery World - Ireland introduces first ever minimum pay rates for early learning and childcare sector

For the first time in history, Ireland has introduced pay scales for its early learning and childcare workers.

Ireland has introduced pay scales for those working in the early years and childcare sector PHOTO Adobe Stock

Ireland’s minister of state for business, employment and retail Damien English has accepted proposals for Employment Regulation Orders for the early years sector.

As of today (15 September), those working in the early years services sector will receive new minimum hourly rates of pay. Under the move, which is supported through the government’s €221m Core Funding Scheme, more than 70 per cent of staff will receive a pay increase.

Staff will receive the following minimum salaries under the new pay scales:

Under the same funding scheme, the Irish government had also committed to freezing childcare fees for parents.

Minister English said, ‘I am very pleased to approve these Employment Regulation Orders which will commence on the 15 of September 2022. The proposals submitted to me will apply to some 27,000 staff and are a welcome acknowledgement of the importance of the work carried out by everyone working in the early learning and childcare sector.’

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