Delegates at Fórsa’s Education conference in Portlaoise backed a motion calling on the union to engage with Government and education ministers to provide immediate support to school students with special education needs, in their preparation for life beyond secondary school.

In his response to an address by the Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD, at the Fórsa Education conference last week, national secretary Andy Pike criticised the “false starts and confusion” during the five years that have elapsed since the NCSE published its review of the Special Needs Assistant scheme.

Fórsa general secretary and president of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Kevin Callinan, has said that the cost of living must continue to be the main focus for public service unions in pay talks this year.

Delegates at Fórsa’s Education conference in Portlaoise backed a conference motion calling for an increase in funding to combat the continuing rise in young people presenting with mental health challenges.

Fórsa is campaigning to secure a major new pay agreement for caretakers and has called on the help of school secretaries.

The third Lunch and Learn will take place on Friday, 28th April, from 1-2pm focusing on Menstrual and Menopausal Health at work and you can sign up here.