Programme of consultation on a Workforce Development Plan and a new Funding Model

On August 19, the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration, Roderic O’Gorman, announced a new programme of consultation on the ELC/SAC workforce and a future funding model for the sector.

Policy commitments to improve work conditions and to develop a new funding model were set in First Five, under Strategic Actions 3.A and 5.B. Those strategic actions underpin the goals of having “an appropriately skilled and sustainable professional workforce that is supported and valued and reflects the diversity of babies, young children and their families” and of allocating “additional public funding that is strategically invested to achieve the best outcomes”. Shortly after the publication of First 5, three working groups were formed to tackle these issues: the Expert Group to develop a new funding model; and the Steering Group and Stakeholder Group on workforce development. In line with this policy effort, the 2020 Programme for Government included two proposals in the area: fast tracking the work of the Expert Group and creating an Employment Regulation Order. The latter would determine minimum rates of pay, as well as terms and conditions of employment.

The programme of the consultation was designed to make this process inclusive of stakeholders’ views. Early Childhood Ireland’s submission will highlight the main issues faced by members while doing our utmost to reflect the diversity of our membership. Aside from our everyday engagement with members, our policy positions will draw on the findings of the research report commissioned to the University of Limerick, entitled “Pathways to Better Prospects: Delivering decent work, terms and conditions for early childhood workers”.

Our positions will also be informed by our most recent Policy Implementation Panel meeting, which was held remotely on September 23 and focused on these consultations. The function of the panel is to allow members’ voices to inform our policy and advocacy work in a structured and formalised way through meetings and consultations. The panel meets a number of times a year and the meetings provide a space for members to share their insights and experience of running early years settings. Participants of the panel have stressed that the weaknesses of the current funding model greatly outweigh the strengths, and that deep reform is needed. Increased public funding along with policy measures that foster significant wage increases, promote professionalisation and increase the supply of labour are urgently needed.

Early Childhood Ireland encourages all members to share their views and expertise with policymakers. The programme of consultation is opened to all interested parties and can be accessed here and here. Your participation is key in influencing the future of our sector.