School secretaries and caretakers talks
Deputy Kenny raised the breakdown in talks on pensions and leave for school secretaries and caretakers. The Tánaiste congratulated him on his first year, then said the issue is serious, has gone to the Labour Court, and needs a resolution.
It is my first opportunity to wish the Tánaiste well in his new role. I wish to speak on the secretaries and caretakers talks, which have broken down again, in relation to their pension entitlements and leave entitlements. Mr. Andy Pike from Fórsa 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 do not want to see more secretaries and caretakers outside our door. We do not want to see schools operating with no secretaries and no one at the front door or to do the maintenance work in the schools. This is now an opportunity for the Government and the Tánaiste, as the new Minister for Finance, to step in and make a clear indication to all secretaries and caretakers across this country that he will stand up for their entitlements and give them those entitlements.
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I thank the Deputy for his good wishes. I congratulate him on his first year in the Dáil. I think I heard him say the other day that he is the first TD born in the 21st century-----
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Maybe I will be Tánaiste some day.
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At the rate this Government is going, yes.
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We will have a discussion offline about that. We used to be in government with the Labour Party. You have to be careful not to get too close to that crowd - I jest.
I thank the Deputy for raising what is a really serious matter because school secretaries and caretakers 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 do not want to over-comment on discussions between parties that 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 remain committed and ready to engage with Fórsa to reach a resolution to this important matter, which, as I said, has been referred to the Labour Court.