Certainty needed on childcare staff wages
Labour spokesperson on Children and Youth Affairs Seán Sherlock has called for the Department and providers to quickly provide certainty for workers in the childcare sector on their wages over the coming weeks, after the closure of crèches.
Deputy Sherlock said:
“Most childcare providers are private operators and many staff in the sector are worried as to whether their wages will continue to be paid over coming weeks, and have been in contact with myself and fellow Party colleagues on this.
“I appreciate this is a quickly developing situation but I would ask the Department and providers to give their staff certainty on their wages as quickly as possible.
“The Department provides significant funding to the sector and I understand this income stream will continue in the weeks ahead despite children not being in care, but we need assurances that if it is paid, that staff will also continue to be paid their wages.
“In the difficult situation which should be a last case scenario where staff may have to be laid off for a period I also would call on the Department to ensure they get access to income support payments immediately at the increased illness benefit rate.
“It is the State that has closed childcare facilities so it is essential that it ensures workers in the sector continue to be paid wherever possible.”