Kenny calls for emergency Committee meeting amid school strike crisis
Kenny calls for emergency Committee meeting amid school strike crisis - The Labour Party
- Oireachtas Committee on Education must sit
Labour’s Education Spokesperson Eoghan Kenny TD has today written to the Chair of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education requesting that an emergency meeting be convened as a matter of urgency, following the ongoing strike action by school secretaries and caretakers across the country.
Deputy Kenny said:
“The strike by school secretaries and caretakers is now into its fifth day, and schools across Ireland are under immense pressure. It is simply not feasible for schools to operate as normal without these essential workers, yet we have seen nothing but silence from Government. That is unacceptable.
“Today, I have formally requested that an emergency meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education be convened. We need accountability.
“In my letter, I outlined how this industrial action is now having a profound impact on schools nationwide, with significant fear among staff, boards of management, and parents that the very functioning of the school system is at risk. Many schools are already reporting severe strain, with day-to-day operations becoming increasingly unsustainable.
“We must urgently determine which Minister holds ultimate responsibility for resolving this dispute—whether it lies with Minister Jack Chambers, Minister Helen McEntee, or Minister Paschal Donohoe. Accordingly, I am requesting that the Committee immediately invite the relevant Ministers to appear before us to provide clarity, accept responsibility, and outline a pathway towards resolution.
“Without such action, the risk to the entire school ecosystem will only deepen, with consequences for pupils, parents, and communities across the country.
“School secretaries and caretakers are dedicated public servants who love their jobs and are the backbone of every school community. This dispute is about equality, fairness, and basic employment rights. The disrespectful and degrading way these workers have been treated cannot continue.
“It’s time to stop dodging responsibility. This strike is causing huge disruption for schools and families, and the longer the Government stays silent, the deeper the damage will be.”