Naughton assures supports for senior cycle redevelopment

Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton has said it is her intention that all those fully cooperating with senior cycle redevelopment will receive the full benefits of a previously agreed pay deal.

Ms Naughton made the announcement during an address to members of the Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) at their annual congress this afternoon in Kilkenny.

TUI members have in recent days renewed calls for all elements in a package of support measures for senior cycle redevelopment, which they voted in favour of last year, to be fully implemented.

They said they are due a 1% pay increase that must be applied retroactively from 1 September 2025, as part of an overall 3% increase due under local bargaining.

Speaking on day two of the conference, she said she wanted to acknowledge the endorsement of the support package by TUI members following last year’s ballot.

"I want to be absolutely clear today: senior cycle redevelopment has the full support of Government.

We have made firm commitments to our young people and, thanks to your cooperation, we are continuing to deliver.

"It will be delivered with the full support of teachers who have signed up to agreements in good faith with my department.

We owe it to all students, including those doing Level 1 and Level 2 programmes, to ensure this happens," she said.

"I recognise the huge professionalism teachers bring to the classroom every day.

My intention is that those who are cooperating with senior cycle redevelopment in full, including, importantly, the additional assessment components (AACs), will receive the full benefits of the pay agreement."
Level 1 and Level 2 Learning Programmes are designed for young people with additional learning needs.

Meanwhile, Minister Naughton also committed to the introduction of supports and resources for senior cycle students and teachers.

"I am publishing today circulars for two posts of responsibility in our schools to support senior cycle.

The posts will be available for application by teachers who have accepted the support measures package, and both will attract reduced contact time.

"First, I am publishing a circular to establish a dedicated post of responsibility in schools which offer Level 1 and Level 2 Learning Programmes.

"The second post of responsibility will be available to all post-primary schools as a Senior Cycle Co-ordinator role.

Both of these posts will be available to TUI members, given your acceptance of the Support Measures package," she said.

The supports and resources for senior cycle are expected to be in place for students starting this September.

In his response, TUI President Anthony Quinn said members had previously voted to accept the Senior Cycle Redevelopment Implementation Support Measures in "good faith."
"We now expect every element of that collective agreement to be delivered upon, fully, faithfully and without drift, delay or dilution.

This is what congress demands, what honour demands and, Minister, what you should command," he said.

While welcoming the announcement of supports and resources for senior cycle, the union also expects written assurances that other previously made agreements will be honoured.

"We also expect and demand written assurance that the promised local bargaining payments under the public service pay agreement will be applied as agreed with your department, as communicated to our members and not altered, paused or clawed back.

That is not an extravagant demand.

It is the bare minimum required to sustain trust.

If trust is broken by the department, all bets are off.

We want the 3% pay increase promised and agreed for delivering on senior cycle redevelopment," Mr Quinn said.

His address received a standing ovation from the more than 500 delegates and guests attending the union’s three-day annual congress at the Lyrath Hotel in Kilkenny.

€2m investment and parental complaints portal
Minister Naughton also announced a €2 million investment to expand training and supports for schools, alongside the launch of a new parental complaints portal this September.

The initiative aims to improve outcomes for children, prioritising early intervention, de-escalation, and well-being, while ensuring staff are equipped to respond safely and appropriately.

The portal will give parents an independent pathway to raise concerns where they remain dissatisfied with how a school has handled an incident involving restraint.

Parents who have completed the schools’ complaint process will be able to submit documentation to the Department via a dedicated email address, which will be reviewed by an expert group.

"This is about trust and transparency," Minister Naughton said.

"In those small number of cases where issues remain unresolved, this provides a clear and fair escalation pathway." The portal will operate as an interim measure pending statutory complaints procedures.