Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 April 2026
87. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason the declaration form in Appendix 1 of Circulars 0037/2026 and 0038/2026 requires teachers to declare union affiliation as a condition of applying for a post of responsibility; if she recognises this is without precedent in Irish education; if she will reverse this decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29042/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, my Department recently published two Circulars which provide for two Posts of Responsibility in post-primary schools.
The Posts were committed to in the Senior Cycle Redevelopment Implementation Support Measures document published by my Department in May 2025, following extensive negotiations with both the ASTI and the TUI. Each post-primary teacher union balloted on the relevant sections of the Support Measures package with the TUI membership accepting the package, while the ASTI membership rejected it.
There has been ongoing engagement with each Union in regard to Senior Cycle Redevelopment since those ballot results were declared in June 2025. This includes engagement with the ASTI through the Dispute Resolution mechanisms set out in the Public Sector Agreement 2024-2026 following the initiation of a dispute by the ASTI in June 2025.
The terms of the Circulars published by my Department, including the declarations therein, seek to reflect the ballot results. The ASTI’s membership have not been excluded from eligibility for the posts provided for in the Circulars referenced. The ASTI’s membership voted to reject the relevant sections of the Support Measures package and as such cannot be beneficiaries of those measures.
The Deputy makes reference in the question to certain elements of the Circulars being without precedent. I would draw the Deputy’s attention to the Declaration required under Circular 0068/2025 regarding the introduction of temporary revised Croke Park Hours for post-primary teachers. That Circular, and its provisions, arose from the Support Measures package and also sought to respect the respective union ballot results.
It is a matter for the ASTI to consider how its members could become eligible for these Posts of Responsibility and the other measures set out in the Support Measures package. It is my hope that in time ASTI members will benefit from those supports as they continue to implement Senior Cycle Redevelopment, as committed to under the Public Service Pay Agreement.
