Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As I have outlined and said consistently, I am very conscious of the excellent and pivotal work contributed to school communities by schools secretaries and caretakers. I have been very clear on this. I am also very clear, as I am sure is the Deputy, that there is a process of engagement via the WRC. I also acknowledge that since October 2020 the process has moved apace and there has been significant engagement and meetings have been held between the parties under the auspices of the WRC. There have also been bilateral engagements in that regard. Therefore, there is a clear commitment to progress these complex issues that form part of the pay claim.

I also acknowledge that detailed work is being carried out between the parties in phase 1 of the talks. To consider the remaining elements of the claim, further data are required. These data are now forthcoming as the Department recently completed a necessary data gathering process across the primary and post-primary sector. The returns from this exercise are now being analysed and this work will help to inform the next approaches to be taken regarding these issues. It remains the intention of all parties to reach agreement on the regularisation of pay, conditions of employment and pension provision, which is, as the Deputy said, set out in the roadmap document.

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