89. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth the plans to deliver pension parity for school secretaries and caretakers as of December 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70181/25]

Sentiment score: 0.01

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Moynihan, for securing a school bus for Rahan National School. That is essential, and I thank him for his work. We have worked extremely closely on that school bus.

Sentiment score: 0.32

I wish to focus on secretaries and caretakers across the country and their pension parity and leave entitlements.

Sentiment score: 0.36

The Minister of State said that the same package that was agreed with secretaries will be offered to caretakers. That package is a load of rubbish. I would not even offer it to the caretakers. It is a matter of disrespect. I would not offer it to them. I know, and the Minister of State knows that I know, about this issue first hand. I live at home with my grandmother, who has been a secretary for nearly 30 years. She is the longest serving staff member at St. Patrick's Boys' National School in Mallow. She will not be entitled to a pension. That is the difficulty. She is 70 years old and does not feel like she can retire because of that income. It is the same for a lot of secretaries and caretakers across the country. The matter has been to the Labour Court and the WRC. What engagement is the Department having with the secretaries and caretakers, and with Fórsa? The Minister of State referred to a possible resolution that the Department will come up with. What is the resolution that the Department is putting forward?

Sentiment score: 0.00

I appreciate the Minister of State's response and I am sure that my grandmother would appreciate the kind comments. What we do not want is what happened at the beginning of this academic year, when secretaries and caretakers were outside schools and the Dáil Chamber, protesting for fairness, dignity and respect. That is what this is about. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael backbenchers were standing outside schools, getting into pictures and showing off that they were in support of secretaries and caretakers. I do not doubt their individual bona fides on the issue but I doubt the commitment of the Government, the Department of Education and Youth and the Department of public expenditure to providing that respect, dignity and equality to those secretaries and caretakers across the country. It is predominantly women who are affected. Those of an older generation are affected. I ask the Minister of State not to let down these secretaries and caretakers. I plead with him. Let this be his involvement in this Department. Let securing respect, dignity and entitlements for all secretaries and caretakers across the country be his legacy in the Department.

Sentiment score: 0.30