Written answers

Tuesday, 1 February 2022

Department of Education and Skills

School Staff

Photo of Fergus O'DowdFergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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501. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will respond to correspondence from an organisation (details supplied) in respect of the latest position of school secretaries and their campaign for improved working conditions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5038/22]

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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School secretaries and caretakers are valued members of our school communities and my Department is fully aware of the vitally important role played by them in the running of our schools. 

The majority of primary and voluntary secondary schools receive assistance to provide for secretarial, caretaking and cleaning services under grant schemes. Where a school employs a staff member to support those functions those staff are employees of individual schools and responsibility for terms of employment rests with the school.

The Department with school management bodies have been engaging with Fórsa on a claim on terms and conditions for grant-funded school secretaries and caretakers.  On the 27th of October 2020, under the auspices of the WRC, an understanding was agreed on a pathway to progress the issues. Several key strands were identified, and a phased approach is being taken to the development of proposals.

Following intensive discussions at the WRC on 13th September 2021, there was significant progress in this dispute. Subject to agreement on all elements of the claim, the Department has offered to move School Secretaries’ pay rates to a scale which is aligned with the Clerical Officer Grade III pay scale on a pro rata basis according to a secretary’s current working pattern. The Department has also offered to improve the conditions for School Secretaries with regard to sick leave, annual leave and maternity provisions for this cohort of staff.

Further dialogue has taken place between the parties on these issues since 13 September with the aim of reaching an overall agreement. The talks continue, most recently at a meeting at the WRC on 26 January; the parties are to meet again next month, following reflection on the matters discussed at that meeting.

I welcome the continued engagement between the parties and I encourage all stakeholders to focus on finalising an agreement.

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