Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)

Fórsa, on behalf of caretakers and secretaries in schools, has served formal notice on 2,000 schools of indefinite strike action at the end of August. They have been forced into this position due to the lack of action from the Government in relation to parity and equality for caretakers and secretaries, as are given to SNAs, teachers and principals. It has long been recognised that schools cannot function without secretaries or caretakers. They are top of the list in terms of keeping schools going. The then Tánaiste, Leo Varadkar, said five years ago:

... the role they play in our education system is as important as that of schoolteachers, SNAs and school principals. For that reason, it is the Government's objective to regularise their employment, terms and conditions, and pension rights.

Unfortunately, that has not happened. Now, strike notice has been served.

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