Fine Gael will prioritise the resolution of teacher pay issues – McHugh

Fine Gael will prioritise the resolution of any outstanding pay issues for teachers in the upcoming pay talks, Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh TD has said.

“I am on record as saying that the issue of unequal pay for teachers is unfinished business and the commitment that Fine Gael is giving is that we will prioritise this in the upcoming pay talk,” Minister McHugh said.

“Fine Gael committed in our manifesto to negotiating a new public pay deal to commence in January 2021.

“We have made provision for this within our manifesto costings, ring-fencing €2 billion for a new public pay deal.”

Minister McHugh added: “The contrast between Fine Gael and the other parties couldn’t be clearer in making provision to deal with this legacy. Fianna Fáil will delay pay talks and instead they will set up a commissions and wait a report – typical Micheál Martin style, ask for a report and put it on a shelf. Not only that but they have insufficient funding for a pay deal just referencing plans to use “part of” a €1.2 billion fund for the pay deal.

“I have been clear on the issue of teacher pay and Fine Gael in Government will prioritise the resolution of it.”