School Staff

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2024

Tuesday, 16 April 2024

Questions (103)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

103. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if she will provide the latest update on the pay negotiations deal between her Department and a union (details supplied) in respect of increased salaries and additional leave entitlements for school caretakers; when her Department will publish the study her Department had committed to as a means to understanding the current working patterns as well as the terms and conditions of work for school caretakers; when her Department will implement a similar pay and conditions package for grant-funded school caretakers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16337/24]

Written answers

Minister for Education

Caretakers are valued members of our school communities who carry out work vital to the operation of our schools. At present, the majority of primary and post-primary schools receive assistance to provide for caretaker services under ancillary grant funding. Under the February 2022 agreement the implementation of revised salary and annual leave entitlements for school secretaries is now fully operational, and lessons learned from that process are now playing a key role in the negotiating and implementation of a similar deal to be offered to grant funded school caretakers.

At present, work is ongoing within my Department to finalise and issue a compressive survey which will enable my officials to confirm their understanding of the current working patters as well as terms and conditions of work for school caretakers. It is anticipated that this survey will issue to schools in the near future. In parallel with this, the Department are actively in communication with Fórsa on this important issue and regular bilateral meetings are occurring with the aim of progressing this matter as soon as is reasonably possible.