Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 December 2025
442. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will urgently intervene and address the pension parity issues in respect of school secretaries and caretakers (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73458/25]
View answer443. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth if, in view of the breakdown in talks, she will urgently intervene and address the pension parity issues in respect of school secretaries and caretakers (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73460/25]
View answer459. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Youth the progress made to date on discussions between her Department, the Workplace Relations Commission and other relevant stakeholders to find a resolution to the school secretaries and caretakers dispute; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73496/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 442, 443 and 459 together.
School secretaries and caretakers are at the heart of the school and are the key interface between students, parents, school leaders and other staff. Without them, our schools would be unsustainable. In supporting these vital school staff members, we also support the school community as a whole.
My Department has been engaging with Fórsa and the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation over the past number of weeks under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission in relation to a number of claims including a claim for a comparable pension entitlement.
The matter has now been referred to the Labour Court, and a hearing will take place on 12th January 2026. The parties remain in process, and my department remains committed and ready to engage with Fórsa to reach a resolution on this important matter.
As with any industrial relations process, where engagement is sensitive and complex, the matters under discussion are confidential until this process concludes.
