The president of the LYIY student’s union LYIT has called for childcare in education to be unionised and an introduction of a living wage in the sector.
Dylan McGowan said students in childcare education are facing a massive battle with regards to rates of pay and being recognised as a profession.
Students who have qualified in Early Years Childhood education receive an average wage of €10 per hour on completion of education.
Childcare nationally are facing a huge battle nationwide due to salaries for being underneath liveable wage. Students are now starting to look at different professions in order to achieve a wage that shows through value of their reflection.
Mr McGowan said “The childcare system in Ireland is nothing short of dysfunctional, childcare professionals in Ireland have no unionised voice which leaves them at a clear disadvantage when lobbying and asking the Government questions within the sector.”
“Early years childhood education isn’t regarded as a serious profession we need to start asking questions, early years education looks after the most vulnerable age group in education.”
Ireland funds 0.3% OECD towards childcare compared to an EU average of 0.7%, childcare for children between the ages of 1-5 years of provides platform of individuals’ capabilities in the future.
The Department of Education have recently administered plans to inspect educators in their professions of early year’s childhood education, however the Department of Education do not fund contribute any investment in this sector; which can leave people disillusioned due to the measures of inspections for such low paying wage.
“Many people complete childcare degrees because they love working with children, implementing below standard wage is now beginning to drive them away.” McGowan said.
He added “I’ve spoken to the students on the ground, they feel undervalued and undermined, the childcare sector needs to be unionised so these people get the voice they deserve, I also think that those working in early years childhood education deserve a living wage along with proper job security.”
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