Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2024
344. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the work that is underway to improve pay and terms and conditions for school caretakers similar, to that achieved for school secretaries; the stage this process is at; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16569/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraCaretakers 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 the Department is committed to ensuring that school caretakers will be afforded the opportunity to avail of a similar package to school secretaries in the very near future.
Lessons learned from the secretary 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. Once more robust data has been gathered from the survey the Department will then be in a position to progress the claim to be finalised 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.
