Residential childcare workers receive a 44.8% pay rise

The Minister of State for Children has announced a 44.8% pay increase for residential childcare workers.

The pay rise was negotiated by the union IMPACT through the Government's benchmarking process.

The increase is the highest so far to be granted under the programme for prosperity and fairness, but health board staff will have to secure a formal qualification to be eligible for the rise.

Currently under half of the 1,300 staff are qualified.