Teachers 'struggling to keep pace' with the cost of living

Thousands of public-sector workers walk out in dispute over pay

Published: Wed 14 Oct 2026, 1:29 PM

Last updated: Wed 14 Oct 2026, 2:01 PM

Public services across Cavan and Monaghan continue to face widespread disruption today (Wednesday, October 14) as thousands of local public-sector workers have joined a 24-hour national strike. The workers are bringing grievances over pay, work conditions and the rising cost of living to picket lines across the region.

Teachers, nurses, healthcare professionals, civil servants and local authority employees are among those taking part, with unions saying the action is necessary as a means to force the Government to commit to a new public service pay agreement.

A work-to-rule, introduced on September 30, will remain in place even after today; and unions warn that further industrial action is possible, with the Public Services Committee scheduling another national strike for Wednesday, October 21.

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Workers attached to teaching unions across Cavan-Monaghan- at both secondary, primary level- joined the picket line. Third level educators are also out on strike.

Geraldine Dolan, principal of Farnham National School near Cavan town, has held the position since 2014. A member of the INTO, she describes the current situation facing school staff as the most difficult of her tenure.

With inflation taken into account she said teachers are “struggling to keep pace” with the cost of living while facing increasingly complex demands in the classroom.

Teachers, members of the INTO, outside Farnham National School.

“With the rising cost of living, any pay increase we receive simply isn’t keeping pace,” she told the Celt.

Ms Dolan describes how teachers are faced with dealing with “increasingly challenging” social issues alongside growing demands from the Department of Education and workloads that “frequently” extended beyond their direct teaching hours.

Teachers, she added, were feeling increasingly “unappreciated” as a result.

ASTI union members outside the Royal School in Cavan

The challenges facing rural schools meanwhile could become more pronounced in years to come as pupil numbers decline in some areas, potentially reducing the number of teaching positions available- an issue already seen to be affecting newly qualified graduates.

Ms Dolan argues that reducing pupil-teacher ratios is a crucial factor in addressing the immediate pressures.

“Class sizes are far too large given the level of need among children today.”

Third level educators, members of the TUI protest outside St Augustine's Hall.

Martin McGovern, of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland, speaking outside St Augustine’s Hall, which is run by Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board, says today's dispute is also about respect.

Workers wanted an “open and genuine discussion” about their concerns, he said, warning that further strike action would impose additional costs on employees and the public alike.

“The current situation simply isn’t financially viable for people. The cost of living is through the roof, and families are struggling to make ends meet. Strike action isn’t productive for anyone, and if next week’s action goes ahead, workers and the public will face a further impact.”