Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 December 2025
175. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans to ensure that school secretaries and caretakers do not suffer hardship following retirement due to loss of income. [70740/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool 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 over the past number of weeks under the auspices of the WRC, and with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, 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.
