The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) published its report of the review of the SNA scheme at the end of May. We take a look at its main points and recommendations.

The review found that the service is particularly effective for younger children, with strong evidence of very strong loyalty and attachment between schools, students, parents and SNAs.

Fórsa has said proposals for a new model of support for children with special education needs - which would see the majority of support posts allocated ahead of time - means there is no excuse for the Government not to give SNAs equal job security to other public servants.

Average wages for young workers in Ireland are over 8% lower than in 2008, according to new research from the union-backed Nevin Economic Research Institute (NERI). But average pay for older workers has now surpassed pre-crisis levels.

Government plans to increase the State pension age to 68 will place Ireland’s retirement age among the highest in the world, according to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU).

The creation of Fórsa provides an opportunity to build on the work undertaken by the former CPSU, IMPACT and PSEU in the area of equality. The new union represents a diverse workforce across many sectors within the public service, the semi-state sector, and elsewhere.

In this episode we speak to Dr. Laura Bambrick of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions on the government's proposed pension reform, Fórsa official Andy Pike on progress in the civil service on pay flexibility and more. Presented by Hazel Gavigan.