Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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436. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her and the Government's engagements and plans to deal with the ongoing strike by school secretaries and caretakers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47577/25]

Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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459. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will meet with a union (details supplied) at the earliest opportunity to discuss the campaign for parity and better working conditions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47791/25]

Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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460. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47804/25]

Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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475. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on progress in relation to negotiations with school secretaries and caretakers regarding their request for pension parity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47971/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 436, 459, 460 and 475 together.

Recognising the vitally important role of secretaries and caretakers within school communities, I and my officials have been working intensively with stakeholders, with the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, to establish a platform for meaningful discussion and resolution.

On Friday 5th September, following constructive engagement under the auspices of the WRC, an agreement was reached that would see the parties engage in a process facilitated by the WRC. I very much welcome Fórsa’s agreement to withdraw strike action and enter discussions in the WRC. Parties commenced engagement on Wednesday 10th September, and are now working towards finding a resolution with the assistance of the WRC.

I believe that all parties have a responsibility to make sure that these talks succeed and that both sides must come together with an open mind without preconditions or pre-conceived ideas of a final outcome.