Better Start – Industrial Action

Dear Early Learning and Care Providers,

We are writing to inform all Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Care (SAC) providers about planned industrial action, commencing Friday, 5 September 2025, by a proportion of Better Start Early Years Specialists (EYSs) who are members of Fórsa trade union.  

Dear Early Learning and Care Providers,

We are writing to inform all Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Care (SAC) providers about planned industrial action, commencing Friday, 5 September 2025, by a proportion of Better Start Early Years Specialists (EYSs) who are members of Fórsa trade union.  

Fórsa have informed us that the industrial action will take the form of a strict work-to-rule, meaning EYSs engaged in the industrial action will not undertake duties outside of their contracted working conditions. These EYSs will not engage in any out-of-hours activities, including workshops, training, or meetings scheduled outside of core hours.

EYSs not partaking in the industrial action will continue to carry out their duties as normal. Pobal has referred the matter to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) for urgent assistance in resolving the dispute.   

We understand the importance of continuity in service and are committed to minimising disruption to early learning and care providers, children and families in the sector. To that end, we wish to reassure you of the following:

•           AIM Applications: Applications will continue to be processed and we aim to keep disruption and delays to a minimum. All AIM guidance is available on the Early Years Hive.

•           Quality Development Service (QDS) Applications: These applications will be responded with minimal disruption.

•           Continuous Professional Development (CPD): For Early Years Educators taking part in Lámh or planning to do Lámh, this training will not be impacted. 

We understand that parents / guardians may also have concerns, and we want to ensure they receive clear and consistent information. To support you we have provided a short message (detailed below) which you may share directly with parents / guardians. 

If you have any queries on specific applications during this time, please submit a request on the Early Years Hive or contact the Early Years Provider Centre on 01 5117222.

The Better Start mailbox will also be actively monitored during this period: enquiries@betterstart.ie

We regret this action and appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this time. Our priority remains to support children, families, and providers with as little disruption as possible.

Regards,

Pobal/Better Start

Sample Parent / Guardian Update (To be shared by ELC Service Provider as necessary)

Dear Parent / Guardian,

Update on AIM Applications

A number of Better Start AIM Early Years Specialists, who are members of the Fórsa trade union, will be taking part in industrial action from the 5 September 2025. We would like to reassure you that we are working to ensure AIM applications and applications for Quality Development Support will be processed with minimal delay.  If there are any changes that may affect you, you will be updated as soon as possible.

Thank you for your understanding.