Statement from Minister Helen McEntee

Following a week of intense engagement, there has been a breakthrough in the ongoing strike action by Fórsa in schools, which has seen secretaries and caretakers on the picket line around the country.

Minister for Education and Youth Helen McEntee has said:

“I very much welcome Fórsa’s agreement to withdraw strike action and enter discussions in the WRC with my Department.

“I have seen around the country the impact of strike action on school communities and

want to acknowledge their resilience throughout to keep schools open for children and young people.

“We all have a responsibility now to make sure that these talks succeed so that secretaries and caretakers can resume their place at the heart of our schools.

“Both sides must come together with an open mind and good faith without preconditions or pre-conceived ideas of a final outcome.

“I have great confidence in the WRC in their role as expert facilitators.

“We need to now create space for this negotiation to take place and for normality to return to our schools next week.”