Figures released by Early Childhood Ireland show that early years services in Meath have a shocking 21 per cent staff turnover, as childcare facilities struggle to retain staff.
To help address recruitment and retention challenges in Meath, Early Childhood Ireland is calling on the government to name a date to bring Early Years and School Age Care graduates' pay within public sector pay and conditions, in line with primary school teachers.
In its Budget 2026 submission, the leading membership and advocacy organisation has urged the government to name a date to introduce pay parity for Early Years and School Age Care graduates, who are educated and trained to the same level as their peers in primary education.
Frances Byrne, Director of Policy at Early Childhood Ireland, joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us about the childcare situation in both Louth and Meath, and about how bad the staffing retention issue is.