Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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468. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated annual cost of providing pension parity to school caretakers and secretaries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47899/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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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, with the assistance of the WRC. As matters under this process are confidential it would not be appropriate to comment further on issues that are currently under discussion.