Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Thursday, 10 July 2025
Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth
Pension Parity and Working Conditions for School Secretaries and Caretakers: Fórsa
2:00 am
Mr. Andy Pike:
The biggest problem over the years has been the lay-off when schools are closed. When schools are closed, many secretaries and caretakers are laid off. They get no pay from the school. They have to go to the Department of social protection to get jobseeker's benefit if they are entitled to it. This creates a lot of uncertainty and precarious employment. The lack of respect and dignity has also been a huge problem.