Education Minister Norma Foley has said there is no timeline yet for when teachers may see a pay rise despite the cost of living crisis.
All three teachers’ unions - the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO), Teachers’ Union of Ireland and the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland - are demanding pay increases at their annual conferences to compensate for the rising cost of living.
The INTO wants talks to begin next month to address how the current pay agreement, 'Building Momentum', can be adjusted to address the concerns of workers.
Read More: Teachers need 'pay uplift' amid cost of living crisis, Education Minister told
Speaking in Killarney where the INTO Congress is taking place, Minister Foley said the Government is “strongly aware” of the pressure on all of society due to inflation.
She said the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath, is “happy to engage” with public sector unions to address the issues caused by inflation.
However, she said she could not give a timeline on when teachers could see a pay increase.
Minister Foley said: “My colleague Minister Michael McGrath has indicated there have been preliminary discussions in terms of ‘Building Momentum’ in the review and that he is happy to engage going forward in terms of addressing these issues and engaging with the public sector unions.
“I think the most important factor here is Government is clear in their understanding of the particular position we find ourselves currently in.
“We have put together an unprecedented level of funding already, in excess of €2 billion [in cost-of-living supports] and an acknowledgement to engage and discuss further.”
General secretary of the INTO, John Boyle said the public sector pay deal is “no longer fit for purpose” and warned that it would collapse soon if not improved upon quickly.
He said every teacher’s household is “feeling the pinch.”
He said: “Purchasing power has already shrunk by at least 7% due to surging prices. Yet, our members are promised a measly 1% uplift next October.
“That’s only a quarter of a percent for 2022. It will not suffice.”
Excessive workload is driving people away from the profession and “eroding the morale of teachers,” General Secretary of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) has said.
Michael Gillespie also addressed the cost-of-living crisis and said teachers who moved “outside the M50” in search of affordable homes are now spending huge money just to travel to work due to rising fuel costs.
And has called on the Government to form a “meaningful” response on the matter.
He told delegates at the TUI annual conference: “Without additional posts, schools will not be able to cope with the multitude of demands; current post holders including principals and deputy principals, already swamped by administrative and bureaucratic overload, will not be able to meet the identified needs in this changing and rapidly evolving post-primary system.
“Schools cannot be expected and should not be asked to continue indefinitely to work on an emergency footing.”
Minister Foley received applause at the INTO Congress when she said society must have “zero tolerance” for violence against any member of a community.
She said schools that embrace diversity, tolerance and a culture of respect for all are an “important building block for the kind of society that we all want to see for today’s children.”
She added: “Everybody has a right to work in a safe environment, every child has a right to attend a school in a safe, happy and inclusive environment..”
Meanwhile, Minister Foley told the INTO congress that her department is working to ensure that Ukrainian children arriving into Ireland are supported to continue their education in Ireland.
She said education “one stop shops” have been established to help source school places and access language supports.
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