Members of the Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) are set to renew their calls for the Minister for Education to implement a pay increase that they have said they are owed since last September.
Union officials will make the call on the second day of the TUI’s annual congress in Kilkenny ahead of an address by Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton to delegates.
TUI members will demand that all elements in a package of support measures for senior cycle redevelopment - which they voted in favour of last year - are fully implemented.
They have said they are due a 1% pay increase that must be applied retroactively from 1 September 2025, as part of an overall 3% increase due under local bargaining.
Ahead of Minister Naughton’s visit to Kilkenny today, union members will also call for additional funding that they have said is necessary for schools to facilitate the new additional assessment components that now form part of the Leaving Certificate.
Motions will also go before delegates today associated with calling for improvements to work-life balance.
Union officials have said "continual programme, policy and administrative demands" are being placed on teachers without "adequate time, staffing and resources."
A motion will also be put to the floor calling for schools and education centres to be fit for purpose, stating that many teachers are expected to work and students expected to learn in inadequate and inappropriate conditions due to accommodation shortages.
The above issues are also expected to be raised by TUI President Anthony Quinn during his response to Minister Naughton’s address this afternoon.
The TUI represents 22,000 teachers and lecturers at secondary school level, in further education and training colleges and centres, as well as in technological universities and institutes of technology.
More than 500 delegates and guests are attending the union’s three-day annual congress at the Lyrath Hotel in Kilkenny.
Yesterday, TUI General Secretary Michael Gillespie told delegates that an education system that cannot recruit and retain enough teachers is an education system in decline.
During his annual address, Mr Gillespie said that a "sharp" message needs to be sent out that educators cannot continue to shoulder a burden that he said belongs to the Government.
On day one of the congress, Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless signalled his support for delaying course specialisation for third-level students in an effort to reduce the pressure in the CAO points race.
Mr Lawless also said he was open to the greater use of circulars to communicate policy positions to teachers and lecturers after delegates said a lack of communication from his department is creating confusion and will weaken the sector should it continue.
In his response to the Minister, Mr Quinn called for measures to be put in place to ensure greater national governance across the sector and parity amongst his members.
