Eoghan Kelly warns of possible strikes over school staff pensions
Eoghan Kelly spoke in the Dáil about school secretaries' and caretakers' pension and leave entitlements, saying talks have broken down and the process is at an impasse. He warned that if progress is blocked further strike action cannot be ruled out and urged the Minister for Finance and the Department to engage to resolve the dispute.
Eoghan Kelly told the Dáil that talks between secretaries and caretakers and the Department have broken down. He quoted Andy Pike of Forsa saying the Department's refusal to table a constructive proposal has brought the process to an impasse.
Kelly said school secretaries and caretakers have shown extraordinary patience but remain determined to secure a just and long overdue resolution. He warned that if progress continues to be blocked "we cannot and will not rule out further strike action," and highlighted the prospect of more staff outside school doors.
He urged the new Minister for Finance to step in and give a clear indication to secretaries and caretakers that their entitlements will be upheld. Kelly framed this as an opportunity for the Minister and the Government to act to resolve the dispute.
The matter has been referred to the Labour Court, Kelly noted, and he said a resolution needs to be found. He recorded that the Department and Government remain committed and ready to engage with Forsa to reach a settlement.
Kelly described school secretaries and caretakers as the beating heart of their communities, noting the practical consequences if positions are unfilled - no one at the front door and maintenance work left undone. He appealed for a swift, fair outcome to protect school operations and staff entitlements.
Breakdown of negotiations
Eoghan Kelly told the Dáil that talks between secretaries and caretakers and the Department have broken down. He quoted Andy Pike of Forsa saying the Department's refusal to table a constructive proposal has brought the process to an impasse.
Union warning and strike risk
Kelly said school secretaries and caretakers have shown extraordinary patience but remain determined to secure a just and long overdue resolution. He warned that if progress continues to be blocked "we cannot and will not rule out further strike action," and highlighted the prospect of more staff outside school doors.
Call for Minister for Finance intervention
He urged the new Minister for Finance to step in and give a clear indication to secretaries and caretakers that their entitlements will be upheld. Kelly framed this as an opportunity for the Minister and the Government to act to resolve the dispute.
Referral to the Labour Court
The matter has been referred to the Labour Court, Kelly noted, and he said a resolution needs to be found. He recorded that the Department and Government remain committed and ready to engage with Forsa to reach a settlement.
Local impact and community role
Kelly described school secretaries and caretakers as the beating heart of their communities, noting the practical consequences if positions are unfilled - no one at the front door and maintenance work left undone. He appealed for a swift, fair outcome to protect school operations and staff entitlements.
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Transcript
Deputy Kenny. It's my first opportunity, I wish you well in your new role, but I wish to speak on the secretaries and caretakers' talks have broken down again in relation to their pension entitlements, leave entitlements. Andy Pike from Forsa has said, the department's refusal to table a constructive proposal on this point has now brought the process to an impasse. School secretaries and caretakers have shown extraordinary patience. Their determination to secure a just and long overdue resolution remains unwavering. But if progress continues to be blocked, we cannot and will not rule out further strike action. We don't want to see more secretaries and caretakers outside our door. We don't want to see schools operating with no secretaries, no one at the front door, no one to be able to do the maintenance work that is in our schools. So, Tanjta, this is now an opportunity for your government, you as the new Minister for Finance, to step in here and make a clear indication to all secretaries and caretakers across this country that you will stand up for their entitlements and give them those entitlements. Thank you for your good wishes and congratulations on your first year in the Dáil. I think I heard you say the other day that you're the first TD born in the 21st century, which is a significant milestone as well. Oh, did we? There you go. Well, go hard to guess. I'd highly recommend it most days. We'll have a discussion offline about that. But we used to be in government with the Labour Party. That's another thing. You have to be careful not to get too close to that crowd. Anyway, can I thank you for raising what is a really serious matter? Because school secretaries, caretakers, they are the beating heart of our community. We know them. We know them by name. We all want to see this issue resolved. Conscious of my new position, I don't want to over-comment on discussions between parties that do remain confidential, other than to say that this matter has been referred to the Labour Court. A resolution needs to be found. I understand the Department and the Government remains committed and ready to engage with the Forsa to reach a resolution to this important matter which, as I say, has been referred to the Labour Court. Deputy Wittmore.