Tipperary TD expresses concern about disruption in schools if strike goes ahead

Ahead of an upcoming strike action by school secretaries and caretakers Tipperary  TD Michael Murphy has expressed concern at the disruption it would cause in schools.

He said that school secretaries and cartakers carried out vital work in schools, supporting teachers, pupils, and parents.

The strike action is due to start on August 28.

"I’m concerned by the prospect of strike action from next month and the disruption that it could cause schools here and across the country," said the Fine Gael TD.

READ MORE: Tipperary councillors back strike action by school secretaries and caretakers

"I believe, however, that the previous work on reaching an agreement on other issues provides hope that the outstanding issues could be resolved, and the strike action averted.

Traditionally, most primary and voluntary secondary schools received grants to provide for secretarial, caretaking and cleaning services. In cases where schools employ a staff member to for these roles, that staff member is an employee of the school.

In 2022 an agreement was reached between the Department of Education and the FORSA trade union in the case of secretaries. Since 2023, on foot of this agreement and in recognition of their work, secretaries were rightly brought under a new centralised payroll. This means pay is covered by the Department of Education for almost nine out of every ten secretaries.

This new payroll mechanism is aligned with a public sector grade and also the national pay agreements. Thankfully, secretaries are now included the public sector pay agreements and receive any increases under these agreements.

In addition, the agreement also included improved annual leave entitlements, improved maternity provisions and paid sick leave in excess of the statutory requirement. Moreover, secretaries receive annualised salaries where they have opted-in and no longer have to sign on in summer.

I understand the Department and the Minister are committed to ensuring that grant-funded school caretakers will be given the opportunity to avail of a similar agreement that was offered to grant-funded school secretaries.

I also understand, however, that pension provision was not part of the agreement which started in 2023. The agreement did not grant public servant status and therefore school secretaries do not have access to the Single Public Service Pension Scheme. This is an issue which the Department of Public Expenditure,International smash hit to be staged t Tipperary venue as well as the Department of Education and Youth need to look at, in conjunction with employer reps.

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From raising this matter with my colleague, Minister for Education and Youth, Helen McEntee, I’m aware that the services of the Workplace Relations Commission have been sought. I hope with the assistance of the WRC this dispute can be settled in a way that recognises the work the secretaries and caretakers carry out.

I’ll continue to monitor the situation and I’ll relay your concerns to the Minister," concluded Deputy Murphy