Limerick TD calls for Govermment intervention as secretaries strike begins

RICHARD O’Donoghue has urged Government to step in at the 11th hour to solve a dispute, which will see school secretaries and caretakers strike.

More than 2,600 school secretaries and caretakers, who are members of the Forsa trade union, went to the gate from this Thursday across Ireland.

They are taking action in the hopes of equalising the terms of employment they have with other public sector workers.

READ MORE: Will schools stay open? All you need to know about the secretary and caretakers' dispute

Forsa says the move has been backed by 98% of its school secretary and caretaker members.

Limerick TD Mr O’Donoghue says the looming strike action will unfairly punish children, parents and teachers both locally and nationally.

He said it is the dedication of secretaries and caretakers which have kept schools on track for decades, but they remain treated as “second class” staff when it comes to entitlements like pensions.

“Without these vital staff, schools cannot function safely or effectively, their contribution to our education system should be recognised in pension entitlements. Their absence will directly impact children’s education and place additional strain on teachers and principals. These are the people who answer the phones, manage pupil records, process payments, support teachers, welcome pupils, and hold the day-to-day life of our schools together,” the Independent Ireland TD said.

He described them as the “backbone” of Ireland’s education system.

The Limerick TD highlighted the personal stories behind the dispute, noting that staff with more than 25 years of service now face retirement without a secure pension, and remain vulnerable if illness or family tragedy strikes.

"What they are asking for are the very basics of fairness and dignity. Teachers, Special Needs Assistants and other department employees have access to these protections, yet secretaries and caretakers, who perform equally vital roles, are left behind. That cannot continue,” he warned.

For its part, the Department of Education says it has referred the matter to the Workplace Relations Commission for assistance and “will continue to engage with all parties in the coming period”.

Mr O’Donoghue warned allowing the dispute to escalate will also mean teachers and principals will not be able to fully focus on their primary work, with administrative tasks taking up much of their time.

Parents will also struggle to get their queries answered, the TD added.