Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 July 2026
58. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth the current status of proposals to provide school secretaries and caretakers with pension parity and improved leave entitlements; the progress made in discussions with representative bodies; the outstanding issues preventing agreement; the timeline for implementation; what her Department are putting forward as a solution; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53887/26]
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 over the past number of months under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission in relation to a number of claims, including a claim for a comparable pension entitlement.
Hearings in the Labour Court took place on Friday 3rd and Tuesday 7th July 2026, following a hearing on 12th January 2026. Both parties now await the recommendation of the Labour Court.
The parties remain in process and all discussions between parties remain confidential, therefore it is not appropriate to make any further comment until such time as this process concludes.
