Amend assault leave now! - The Labour Party

In November 2022, Sophie Cole, a special education teacher from Cork, experienced an assault at work.

Her hand was slammed into a steel reinforced table which left her with catastrophic injuries. She has been left with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome in her left hand, and out of work for over two and a half years.

Despite having suffered a life-altering injury from an assault in the classroom, she was entitled to just three months’ assault leave pay. One of the greatest challenges she faced was a lack of support from the Department.

Labour wants to address this gap in protections for teachers and SNAs and ensure they are supported with time off for recovery, and provide clarity on income and job security.

Sign our petition and let’s give teachers and SNAs the support that they need.