Teachers express concerns over proposed pay deal - unions

Updated / Thursday, 12 Nov 2026 18:43

Second-level teacher unions, the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) and the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI), have said they have serious concerns and are seeking clarification over the proposed public service pay deal.

They have questioned its potential impact on a separate Senior Cycle redevelopment agreement already reached between teachers and the Department of Education and Youth.

They said second-level teacher members voted to accept a suite of Senior Cycle support measures which include a commitment from the Department of Education and Youth to the delivery of a 3% increase for teachers under local bargaining.

As part of this commitment, a 1% increase was paid to teachers under the Public Service Agreement 2024-2026.

The remaining 2% was to be paid to teachers under the local bargaining element of a successor agreement.

However, the Public Service Agreement 2026-2029 provides only for a further 1% under local bargaining in March 2029, with the final 1% to be addressed in a future successor agreement.

The teacher unions said they are seeking confirmation from the Department of Education and Youth as to the date on which the outstanding 1% will be paid, in order to ensure full compliance with the commitments made under the Senior Cycle Redevelopment Implementation Support Measures agreement.

Linda Kelly, General Secretary of the ASTI, said the text of the current proposals was "very concerning".

"The implementation of the new Senior Cycle is by far the most significant challenge facing teachers and schools in recent decades.

"It is vital that the Department of Education and Youth delivers on its commitments to teachers and their unions," she said.

"Teachers have a clear expectation with regard to the outstanding 1% and they need absolute clarity on how the commitments made under the Senior Cycle Redevelopment agreement will be honoured in full," Ms Kelly added.

Michael Gillespie, General Secretary of the TUI, said, "Both Government Departments, DPER and DEY, must provide absolute clarity without delay on the date on which the outstanding 1% under local bargaining will be paid.

"This is essential to ensure that the commitments made to teachers under the Senior Cycle Redevelopment Implementation Support Measures agreement are honoured in full," he added.