
This comes as the Dáil reconvenes.
Early Childhood Ireland is calling on the government to renew its dedication to Early Years and School Age Care by aligning graduate pay and conditions with those of teachers.
This comes as the Dáil reconvenes and students resume their education, amid ongoing staffing shortages that are limiting children's access to care places in the midlands.
The latest data from Pobal shows that 52% of Early Years and School Age Care settings in Offaly reported staff vacancies in the last 12 months, with Westmeath reporting 51% and 47% in Laois.
It also showed that 56% of educators in Offaly who left their jobs left the sector entirely, while 53% have left from Westmeath and 37% in Laois.