Overview

• More than 2,600 Fórsa members are striking for access to the public service pension scheme and parity on entitlements such as critical illness cover and bereavement leave.
• Regional demonstrations followed a march to the Department of Public Expenditure and Leinster House, with rallies in Dublin, Athlone, Cork, Bray and Sligo.
• The Department of Education told schools to open, while unions instructed members not to cover secretarial or caretaking duties, prompting warnings about office access, phones and emails.
• Operational strain was evident at a Clondalkin special school where about 40 pupils were kept at home after most SNAs declined to cross picket lines.
• Minster Jack Chambers said his department cannot make direct commitments, the government remains available for further engagement at the WRC, and contingency planning is under way to limit disruption.