O’Donoghue calls on Government to act in school secretary and caretaker pension parity "Without these vital staff our schools cannot operate"

Independent Ireland’s General Secretary, Richard O’Donoghue TD, has called on the Government to intervene immediately and resolve the pension parity dispute affecting school secretaries and caretakers, warning that the looming strike action will disrupt schools nationwide and unfairly punish children, parents, and teachers.

Deputy O’Donoghue said that the dedication of secretaries and caretakers has kept schools running for decades, yet they remain treated as second-class staff when it comes to basic entitlements. “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. They are the backbone of our education system – and yet they still do not have the same pension rights, sick leave or bereavement leave as their colleagues,” he said.

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, SNAs and other Department employees have access to these protections, yet secretaries and caretakers, who perform equally vital roles, are left behind. That cannot continue.”

Deputy O’Donoghue warned that allowing this dispute to escalate would do untold harm to schools and communities. “Principals will be forced to take on administrative work that drags them away from leading schools. Teachers will be distracted from their core work of educating children. Parents will struggle to get urgent queries answered. And pupils – the very heart of our education system – will lose out on the care and support that secretaries provide every single day. Their absence will expose just how essential they are.”

He urged the Minister for Education and the Department to engage urgently with Fórsa and deliver a fair and lasting resolution. “This is not simply about pensions and contracts – it is about recognising the immense contribution of people who have kept schools going for generations. If this Government is serious about valuing education, it must show respect to the staff who hold the system together. A fair resolution can and must be found before classrooms are disrupted.”

Deputy O’Donoghue concluded by calling the situation “a test of fairness.” He said: “It is time for the Government to step up, honour its responsibility, and support the people who are the backbone of our schools. Anything less is a betrayal of pupils, parents, and communities across Ireland.”