Fórsa has written to the Department of Education and Skills as part of the department’s consultation exercise on the introduction of a new frontloading allocation model for the provision of SNA posts. The proposed ‘frontloading’ model would introduce a three-year allocation of posts to schools.

Fórsa and other education unions affiliated to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions have called on the next government to tackle Ireland’s third-level funding deficit as a priority. The group of unions is set to publish a report setting out the case for a fully publicly-funded third-level system.

Tens of thousands of childcare educators and providers joined parents earlier this month to protest about the high cost of childcare and low pay in the sector. Over 60% of childcare educators in Ireland earn below the living wage, while parents pay some of the highest fees in Europe.

The average gender pay gap in Ireland has risen to 14.4%, according to the most recent estimates from the Central Statistics Office (CSO). The 2017 figure – based on the latest available data – compares to a significantly lower gap of below 12.6% during the recession.

It’s unlikely that further exploratory talks on a pay deal to succeed the Public Service Stability Agreement (PSSA) will take place before a new government is formed. Fórsa had been leading union efforts to negotiate a new accord prior to this month’s general election.