School secretaries in 36 Longford to be paid by State

A package of measures on terms and conditions is being implemented after a series of engagements at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).

The conclusion of the action to settle a claim for grant-funded school secretaries will see 36 school secretaries in Longford paid by the State.

Work is currently underway to achieve similar for school caretakers, in recognition of the contribution they make to their school communities.

School secretaries are employed directly by many of the 3,089 primary schools and 722 post-primary schools across the country.

There are currently 2,745 individual secretaries on payroll across Ireland, covering 2,984 school secretary positions. Some 203 secretaries have multiple employments.

Fianna Fáil TD Joe Flaherty has welcomed the news saying: "School secretaries are highly respected and valued by parents, students and school staff due to their tireless work. I am delighted that 36 of them in Longford are being paid by the state."

“I am pleased that the Department is providing a payroll service for school secretaries in Longford and across the country, with 36 secretaries now being paid by the State in Longford, Education Minister, Norma Foley, said, “I am continuing to work to achieve similar recognition for school caretakers.”

A survey issued in May to all recognised primary and post-primary schools regarding school caretakers, to gather information from schools employing grant-funded caretakers to facilitate further engagement with their representative union Forsa.

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