Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton must approach negotiations with our teachers unions in good faith if we are to avoid strike action this coming autumn, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins.
Deputy Cummins said:
“Both the INTO and ASTI, the unions which represent primary and secondary school teachers, are considering strike action in response to the chronic underresourcing of education on all fronts by successive governments.
“Primary school teachers will be balloted on strike action if there is no progress on the payment of increased wages, now overdue since September, as part of the public sector pay agreement. It is outrageous that the State is not holding up its side of the bargain as the cost of living continues to skyrocket.
“I’m hearing more and more stories about teachers living paycheck to paycheck, despite the fact that they are highly-trained and committed to a crucial profession.
“The terms of the pay deal now lag behind inflation. A fresh evaluation of teacher compensation is now required to increase the career’s viability against the backdrop of the teacher shortage crisis.
“A lack of resources has left primary school teachers overworked, often covering duties which require more than one staff member to perform adequately, leading to negative outcomes for both staff and students.
“There is clearly a disconnect between what teachers need and what the Department of Education is willing to provide – the latter has been accused of a lack of consultation and collaboration when rolling out a raft of new initiatives and reforms without proper planning.
“This has led to an overburdening of teachers, leading to exhaustion and burnout – it has been made clear during these conferences that teach wellbeing must be looked at in a very serious light.
“While the Minister has committed to reducing class sizes, this is meaningless without follow-through – this promise has been thrown about for decades now. The Government must stop talking about this and take action.
“The Department must listen to school staff and the wider community on the multitude of issues which need to be addressed to ensure every child receives the education they deserve.
“Secondary school teachers are suffering from many of the same shortcomings as those working in primary schools – it is imperative that the Minister and her Department listen to their concerns.
“Leaving certificate reform, the looming threats of AI, and inadequate funding across the board is deeply concerning for our secondary school communities – greater resources are required to address these challenges.
“Teachers face insurmountable challenges in housing, healthcare and childcare during their working lives. A joined up approach to making this career both viable and attractive is crucial to the education of future generations.”
April 8th, 2026