Laois school secretaries and caretakers demand pension equality with teachers

As Laois children return to schools, Laois school secretaries and caretakers are demanding fair access to a pension that is given to teachers.

Many secretaries contacted Laois County Councillors this summer to ask them to request the right to a pension.

Two Fine Gael councillors tabled motions on their behalf at the July meeting, explaining the lack of "fairness".

Cllr Paddy Buggy from the Portlaoise Municipal District, asked the council to write to the Department of Education requesting the same pension rights as teachers and Special Needs Assistants. 

"We've been approached by secretaries from all over the county in schools, raising this issue. Education is key, but there's more people involved than just teachers. You have the Minister, the department, the principals, middle management, teachers, Special Needs Assistants, board of management, you have the caretakers looking after the school and you have the secretaries.

"But when it comes to retirement age, secretaries and caretakers go a different route from the pension schemes for principals or teachers. All we are asking is that as all are crucial to the successful running of the school for education, that they be treated the same with the same pension rights and access to pension schemes," he said.

Cllr Conor Bergin asked the council to "support the introduction of a statutory occupational pension scheme" that he said is on the way. He also wants the council to ask Minister for Finance Pascal Donoghue to provide for it in Budget 2026 this October.

"I second the motion and fully support everything that Paddy said. Prior to 2021, school secretaries were individually paid by school principals. Now it's the statutory right that they have to be paid by boards of management. But they don't have access to an occupational pension.

"More than half of the school secretaries are over the age of 55 so are approaching pension age. The vast majority are women. I like Paddy and other councillors I'm sure were approached by people in the constituency who are raising this issue.

"As Paddy said they are an integral part of the school. They are as important as teachers, SNAs, and anyone else who have access to occupational pension schemes. It's a matter of fairness and treating people with pay parity for all school staff and recognising that secretaries are a vital part of the school. In most schools they are the cogs that keep the wheels turning. They are the first port of call for parents, for staff, for everyone.

"The national pension scheme is in the pipeline and seems to be getting closer the whole time where everyone is expected to be enrolled in a national scheme. At the very least give school secretaries access to an occupation pension. 

Cllr Tommy Mulligan who is a teacher supports their motions.

"Caretakers and secretaries are a vital part of the school, and every bit as important as every other employee in the school building. The unfortunate thing at the moment is after they fulfil their 40 years, every other employee in the school has their secured pension, while there's doubts over the caretaker and secretary. So even though we are working under the same boards and department of education, they are being treated differently. For me it's all about fairness here and parity of pension should be part of that," he said.

Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald recalled the long battle by special needs teachers for pension rights. 

Read also: 'Gobbled up' how the €167 million of Just Transition money was spent in Laois

"This went on with the SNAs for years, and they had to fight for years to get their pension. Unfortunately this looks like the same thing. I hope they don't have to fight as long as that," she said.

Cllr James Kelly also supported the motions.

"In a college or school, the first person you meet is the secretary or the caretaker. You walk with the caretaker around the school, and you meet the secretary if you want to do business because she's going to open the principal's door for you. So they are a vital cog in our schools and the education system in Ireland," he said.