Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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336. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on talks ongoing following the end of strike action by school secretaries and caretakers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66038/25]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Recognising the vitally important role of secretaries and caretakers within school communities, Department officials have been working intensively with stakeholders, with the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, 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 pre-conceived ideas of a final outcome.

My department remains committed and ready to engage with Forsa to reach a resolution to this important matter which has been referred to the Labour Court. All discussions between parties remain confidential, therefore it is not appropriate to make any further comment until such time as this process concludes.