SIPTU Big Start members demand Budget action
Early Years Professionals from across Tipperary and throughout the country are demanding action from the Government in the upcoming Budget this October 12th.
Down length and breadth of Tipperary Early Years Teachers have been sending Pre-Budget postcards to Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath, demand that €150 million be invested in the Early Years Sector in the allocations for Budget 2022, as detailed in the New Deal for Early Years Pre Budget Submission.
SIPTU Sector Organiser for Tipperary Pat McCabe said, “ Our members and indeed the entire Early Years Sector are at breaking point. Poor pay and conditions are the root cause of an ever increasing exodus of highly qualified experienced Early Years Professionals from community based and privately run Education and Childcare services across Ireland and Tipperary.”
A Survey carried out in Early September by the New Deal for Early Years coalition threw up some startling results. 95% of Early Years Services Managers reported that it was extremely difficult or difficult to recruit staff. Poor Pay is the main reason, with 57% reporting that as the biggest obstacle, followed by ‘burnout’ at 33%.
“That’s no surprise to anyone working in Early Years," stated Mr McCabe, ‘as burnout isn’t just confined to extra Covid safety procedures at services but is a consequence of low pay with educators struggling to meet rent, replace white goods or service their vehicles. The effect on their mental health will eventually impact on the quality of education and care that they can give. The POBAL Annual Early Years Sector Profile reveals that ‘Early Years assistants’, who constitute 55% of all staff working with children, earn just €11.91 per hour on average, 39c below the 'living wage' for Ireland in 2020. Managers, including owner managers, shoulder enormous responsibilities, but earn on average just €15.28 per hour. Basic conditions like maternity pay, sick pay or a pension are rare. In some cases, owner managers cannot draw a weekly wage.”
The New Deal for Early Years Coalition stated in a letter to An Taoiseach Micheal Martin: “There is a chronic recruitment and retention crisis with 44% of Early Years professionals actively seeking work outside the sector. Staff turnover is 40% on average in full day care services, directly undermining the sustainability of services and the availability of places, especially for babies and toddlers. Such a serious staffing shortage has a detrimental effect on the availability and quality of services for children. Too many are forced to choose between poverty pay, retraining for a different career, or emigrating to a country that values Early Years professionals. This staffing crisis is driven by low pay. On this current trajectory, Ireland's Early Years system is on the verge of collapse.”
Pat McCabe added “Our members in the Premier County are in the vanguard of demanding change, and getting Organised into SIPTU was the key to the establishment the Joint Labour Committee for the Sector, where negotiations will be commencing to establish decent pay and conditions for Early Years Professionals later this year.”