Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The point is also that it is unlikely that anybody will be moved on to this new system before this time next year. That is the reality. It is disappointing for the school secretaries who have been waiting so long for this to happen. I know that each secretary is employed by the individual school but I also know the Department was probably aware of which schools had or did not have secretaries. Much of that information is within the Department. While it may have been available on an ad hocbasis or may not have been in a format that would have allowed this to proceed, much of the necessary work could have been done. I hope the matter continues to receive priority because it would be very disappointing if the timescale were to slip any further. I hope the Minister will ensure it is made a priority over the coming year to ensure it is implemented by next summer at the latest.

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