John Connolly (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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444. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the current status of talks commenced at the Workplace Relations Commission (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51333/25]

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. 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 preconceived ideas of a final outcome.

Officials from my Department are engaging with Fórsa under the auspices of the WRC to progress this matter. This is a confidential process, and as with any industrial relations process the matters under discussion are confidential.