Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 June 2026
274. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth to urgently address pension parity, illness and bereavement leave (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46548/26]
View answerSchool 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 under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court in relation to a number of claims, including a claim for a comparable pension entitlement, Acute illness and Bereavement leave. The parties remain in process, and my department remains committed to reaching 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.
