Written answers

Tuesday, 12 July 2016

Department of Education and Skills

Industrial Relations

Photo of Carol NolanCarol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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245. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress of talks with the Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20640/16]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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ASTI has issued a directive to their members to withdraw from the Croke Park hours. These are the 33 hours of additional work per year (less than one hour per week) that were agreed under the Croke Park agreement, to facilitate staff meetings, parent-teacher meetings etc. without closing schools. ASTI's decision to withdraw from these hours means that the union has repudiated the Lansdowne Road Agreement. In opting to withdraw from the LRA, ASTI members are also opting to forego a series of benefits and protections, as communicated by my Department previously. These include avoiding an increment freeze, continuation of the alleviation of the FEMPI Act 2013 pay cut for higher earners, the Supervision and Substitution payment of €796 due to be paid on 1 September and protection against compulsory redundancy.

At an initial meeting with ASTI last Thursday in relation to their issues of concern, my Department suggested that ASTI suspend their directive to withdraw from the Croke Park hours in order to provide time and space for meaningful engagement on their issues. My Department offered that the implementation of measures associated with their repudiation of the LRA would also be put on hold for this period. It was made clear to ASTI that this suggestion was not intended as a pre-condition to talks, but rather to create a more constructive context within which talks can proceed. It was also intended to ensure that any disruption to schools from September, arising from ASTI actions, could be avoided during the talks period.

The ASTI Standing Committee decided to reject this suggestion. As a result, the immediate implications of LRA withdrawal will now arise. These would have been avoided for ASTI members during the talks period if a suspension was agreed.

I am disappointed that the ASTI Standing Committee decided to reject my Department's suggestion. ASTI now appears intent on proceeding with their action, which will lead to disruption in schools in the new school year.

Despite the union's clear intention, I remain genuinely of the belief that continuing dialogue between my Department and ASTI is in the best interests of schools, parents, students and teachers. In that regard, my Department will be seeking arrangements for discussions to continue.

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