SIPTU representatives have welcomed the announcement by Minister Alan Dillon of the implementation date of the pay agreement benefiting over 30,000 Early Years professionals.
The pay agreement, negotiated by SIPTU on behalf of thousands of members at the Early Years Services Joint Labour Committee, will come into effect from Monday 13th October.
Chair of SIPTU – the Early Years’ Union, Avril Green said: “This announcement marks another crucial step forward in our campaign for respect, recognition and decent pay. At our national conference last year, union members committed to campaigning for a minimum rate of pay of €15 per hour for Early Years Educators. I want to pay tribute the thousands of SIPTU members to took action to make this a reality.”
SIPTU Sector Organiser, Diane Jackson said “The staffing crisis in Early Years is impacting on parents, children, staff and services. With over 2,300 staff vacancies, many services cannot even operate the rooms they have, let alone expand to meet the needs of parents and children. This crisis is driven by one key factor, low pay.
The staff turnover stands at 25% per year on average across the sector. This rises to a high of over 60% per year across Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown in large private services. This is unacceptable. Such level of staff turnover undermine quality for children, the sustainability of services and contribute to high levels of stress for staff.
SIPTU Head of Strategic Organising and Campaigns, Darragh O’Connor said: “The research shows that there is a return to the state of €4 for every €1 invested in high quality Early Years education and care. The benefits are seen in social, emotional and cognitive development, as well as better life outcomes. However, quality cannot be delivered off the back of poverty wages. The government recognise this, but need they need to put their money where their mouth is and deliver continued to investment in Budget 2026 to address the staffing crisis.”