Nolan seeks definitive clarity on revised salary packages for school caretakers

Independent TD for Offaly Carol Nolan has this week called for clarity on when improved salary packages for school caretakers will be delivered.

She welcomed confirmation from Education Minister Helen McEntee that her department is committed to ensuring that school caretakers will be afforded the opportunity to avail of a similar package offered to school secretaries of revised salary and annual leave entitlements “in the near future.”

The Independent TD received the information as part of parliamentary reply on the matter. Deputy Nolan asked the minister to provide an update on measures she was taking to introduce public sector status, revised salary and annual leave entitlements for school caretakers.

However, she pointed out that is almost a year since then Minister for Education Norma Foley initiated a survey of all caretakers who are employed directly by a majority of the country’s 3,089 primary schools and 722 post-primary schools.

"While I welcome Minister McEntee’s commitment to deliver for our caretakers 'in the near future', really at this stage we need definitive clarity on when the improved and revised salary and entitlements package will actually be implemented," said Deputy Nolan.

“Anyone who is involved with the life of a school community knows the invaluable work that our caretakers perform. They are the people who keep our schools ticking over, while also ensuring that they are kept safe and secure.”

“There is an urgent need to have this issue addressed as there can often be a wide variation from school to school in the pay that they receive, despite performing essentially the same kind of work.”

“We also need to ensure that our schools are supported in being able to offer our caretakers better pay and conditions. Indeed, it is critical that it is the department which funds the increase. Schools are already under enormous pressure in many instances to absorb increased costs.”

“The department must not give with one hand only to take away with the other.”

“It is my hope that this process can now move speedily toward resolution and that our school caretakers can have their claim positively assessed and in force as soon as possible,” concluded Deputy Nolan.