1472. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education and Youth if an agreement will be reached to ensure school caretakers are not left without pay during the upcoming school summer holidays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26090/26]

Caretakers are at the heart of the school and are the key interface between students, parents, school leaders and other staff. Without them, our schools would be unsustainable. In supporting these vital school staff members, we also support the school community as a whole.

My Department has been engaging with Fórsa and the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation over the past number of months under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission in relation to a number of claims including an agreement for school caretakers, similar to that which was offered to school secretaries in February 2022.

The parties remain in process, and my department remains committed and ready to engage with Fórsa to reach a resolution on this important matter.

As with any industrial relations process, where engagement is sensitive and complex, the matters under discussion are confidential until this process concludes.