Fórsa returned to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) this week to discuss parity on provision of breastfeeding breaks, after it emerged that teachers had significantly better provisions than special needs assistants (SNAs).

The union says there should be no discrimination in schools’ breastfeeding policies, which should apply to all staff equally.

Fórsa official Shane Lambert said that there was “no rationale argument” that could be made to state that a teacher and their child have a greater need or warrant any different treatment to an SNA and their child.

“The needs of the children should be considered equal and as such, clearly, so should the provisions,” he said.

The union also flagged an increasing number of issues arising out of the disparity in recent months.

Meanwhile, it has emerged that issues around the provision of Health and Safety leave for pregnant SNAs also differs starkly to their colleagues. They are given just 21 days’ leave if they are deemed to be at risk in the working environment. This compares to leave for entire duration of the pregnancy for teachers.