Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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115. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the review of school secretaries’ new contracts will be completed; and if that review will be complete before work on new contracts for caretakers begins. [29882/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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At present, the majority of primary and post-primary schools receive assistance to provide for caretaker services under ancillary grant funding. Under the February 2022 agreement the implementation of revised salary and annual leave entitlements for school secretaries is now fully operational, and lessons learned from that process are now playing a key role in the drafting and implementation of a similar deal to be offered to grant funded school caretakers.

The Department is committed to ensuring that school caretakes will be afforded the opportunity to avail a similar package offered to school secretaries of revised salary and annual leave entitlements in the near future.

A survey has now been issued to schools for completion which will enable my officials to confirm their understanding of the current working patters as well as terms and conditions of work for school caretakers. The closing date for this survey has been extended to Friday 26th July.

The rate of return to date has been very promising and will provide information which will be crucial in understanding the working arrangements of caretakers as well as the practical needs of schools.

In parallel with this, the Department are actively in communication with Fórsa on this important issue and regular bilateral meetings are occurring.