Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Two years ago, the Government finally committed to ensuring pay equality and pension entitlements for school secretaries and caretakers. They are invaluable members of our schools and communities and often work above and beyond their job commitments. They work on the front lines and are the first port of call for parents and students. Without them, our schools would not function. Despite this, they have faced unequal pay and poor terms and conditions, with many working for amounts barely above the minimum wage. The current position of the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Michael McGrath, is that school secretaries should sign on during the summer. This is a fact. At the 11th hour, will the Tánaiste urge the negotiators representing the Government to drop their position that secretaries should sign on during the summer and agree to paying them over the summer?

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