I want to raise the pressing need for school secretaries to be placed on a public service incremental scale and to address the wage increase they need. They still receive no illness benefit, and there is no pension scheme in place for them. School secretaries were, as we know, to the forefront in dealing with the pandemic and making sure our schools stayed open, dealing with parents, students and teachers, with none of the benefits. It is disgraceful that we are in a situation whereby they must sign on during the Christmas and Easter holidays, considering the job they do. They are valued members of our school communities the length and breadth of the country. The WRC has instructed that further talks take place on 24 February. I ask the Taoiseach to ensure that these workers, who are predominantly women, are treated not just with platitudes but with remuneration and that they have a proper standing within the Department of Education.

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue, which is being consideration by Government. She has been a long-term advocate for school secretaries. As she knows, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform is leading on the broader issue of pay and conditions. As she said, this issue is scheduled to be discussed in further meetings within the industrial relations process. We would like that to be brought to a conclusion as quickly as possible.