Childcare: Motion Seanad Éireann — 2026-09-23 ============================================================ Malcolm Noonan (GP), Agricultural Panel Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. I thank the Fianna Fáil Senators for using their Private Members' time to bring forward this important motion. The motion recognises the distance we have come since 2020 under the Minister's predecessor, my colleague Deputy Roderic O'Gorman who did incredible work. We want to see that same trajectory continue. I recognise the comments made by my colleague here. We have gone some distance towards affordability, professional development and retention of staff but, as the Minister knows, significant challenges remain, particularly in a country that is at full employment, where many graduates are pulled into different areas of employment. While core funding was welcomed at the time, it did not work for all providers. I refer to some of the small providers in particular. It is important that be recognised. How the Minister moves forward with the next phase of the plan will be really important. We also recognise the importance of the foundations for education and lifelong learning for children and young people and for their well-being. This is the most vital sector. Pay parity is the critical issue that Early Childhood Ireland has raised with us as it seeks public sector pay and conditions in line with teachers. That would mark a significant turning point in retention. The graduate premium should be doubled to allow providers to retain qualified staff. There has not been an increase there. That is another important issue. I will also raise with the Minister the issue of funding for AIM support. This is vital for all settings. It currently stands at €18 per hour, €15 of which goes on pay, leaving €3 to cover PAYE and holidays. It therefore unfortunately does not cover the full cost. That needs be addressed as a matter of urgency. My wife, Jennie, works in the sector. I will give a shout-out to First Steps Montessori in Kilkenny and to Leanne and all of the staff there. Jennie loves her work. She loves working with the children. Every year, a new intake comes in and she comes home so excited to speak about the children who are coming into her care. She is then sad at the end of the year when they are finishing up. I have been on the boards of voluntary community-based providers of different types in Kilkenny over the past 20 years. I have seen the changes. I have seen the lows and I have seen the hope that has come into the sector in recent years. I hope the Minister can continue on this trajectory for the staff, the people who work in early childhood education, and also for the children, because it is the most vital start they will have in life. --- Source: Houses of the Oireachtas. Licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). The Official Report is revised after first publication; the fetch timestamp below identifies the version quoted. Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-09-23/debate/main Retrieved: 2026-09-28T05:50:49+00:00 Sitting date: 2026-09-23