News that school secretaries across the country are now being paid by the State has been welcomed by local TDs as well as school staff. Fianna Fáil TD for Longford-Westmeath Joe Flaherty says this is good news for 36 secretaries in Longford, following what he's described as a 'long campaign'.
This arrangement comes as part of a package of measures following engagements with the Workplace Relations Commission. Work is now underway to achieve a similar pay deal for school caretakers. Speaking to Shannonside News, Deputy Joe Flaherty said the lack of a proper pay scale for secretaries had been an ongoing issue: