Early years educators in Kerry will see a pay increase of 10%, coming into effect next month.
The new Employment Order for early years educators and school-age practitioners has been announced by Minister for Children and Kerry TD Norma Foley.
As well as this, €45 million in ring-fenced core funding will be provided to support the increased cost of minimum pay rates in the sector.
The order will apply to to approximately 35,000 staff in the sector, bringing total core funding for services to over €390 million in the 2025/26 programme year.
It's estimated that around two thirds of those employed in the sector will see their wages increase as a result of the new minimum pay rates.
The increased rate will come into effect on October 13th.
It will provide for increases in new minimum hourly rates of pay as follows:
· Early Years Educators and School Age Childcare (SAC) Practitioners - from €13.65 currently to €15.00 per hour;
· Early Years Lead Educators (Room Leaders) and School Age Childcare (SAC) Coordinators – from €14.70 currently to €16.00 per hour;
· Early Years Graduate Lead Educators (Room Leaders) and Graduate School Age Childcare (SAC) Coordinators – from €16.28 currently to €17.50 per hour;
· Deputy/Assistant Manager – from €16.49 currently to €18.00 per hour;
· Centre Manager -from € 17.33 currently to €19.00 per hour;
· Graduate Centre Manager from €18.11 currently to €20.25 per hour.
The announcement has been welcomed by Fianna Fáil TD for Kerry Michael Cahill, praised the collaborative efforts of the Labour Court, the Joint Labour Committee, and welcomed the Government’s continued commitment to investing in early years education and care.
