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Senior Cycle Redevelopment

Senior Cycle Redevelopment - Implementation support measures update:

In May, ASTI members voted to reject the document Senior Cycle Redevelopment – Implementation Support Measures by 68% to 32%. (Turnout: 73%)

In a separate ballot, ASTI members voted by 67% to 33% in favour of industrial action, up to and including strike action, in the event that the ASTI rejected the provisions set out in the document Senior Cycle Redevelopment – Implementation Support Measures. (Turnout: 70%)

ASTI Standing Committee decided, in the first instance, to seek resolution of the issues of concern to teachers by invoking the dispute resolution mechanisms set out in the Public Service Agreement 2024-2026, which the ASTI is party to. The Public Service Agreement also provides that where dispute resolution fails to end in agreement, either side can refer the dispute to the Scheme of Conciliation and Arbitration for Teachers.

The ASTI took part in engagement with the Department of Education and Youth from June to October 2025. However, despite progress, no agreement was reached. In October 2025, the ASTI and the Department of Education and Youth agreed to move the process on to the formal conciliation and arbitration process.

The ASTI’s strong mandate to take industrial action, up to and including strike action, remains in place and available for use, if the conciliation and arbitration process fails to produce a satisfactory outcome.

Local Bargaining - Public Service Agreement 2024 – 2026

In addition, engagement with the Department of Education and Youth is expected in the coming weeks to seek to secure a deal in the local bargaining process within the Public Service Agreement 2024 – 2026. The position of the Department of Education and Youth set out in the document Senior Cycle Redevelopment – Implementation Support Measures was rejected by ASTI (albeit it was accepted by TUI).

An opportunity remains to attempt to negotiate a different approach.

Members are aware that a local bargaining clause is included in the Public Service Agreement 2024 – 2026. Employers and trade unions may negotiate additional changes in rates of pay and/or conditions of employment up to a maximum of 3% of the basic pay cost, inclusive of allowances in the nature of pay, of the particular grade, group or category of employee or bargaining unit. This may include proposals involving changes in structures, work practices or other conditions of service. Implementation of adjustments will be on a phased basis. 1% was due to be paid on 1st September, 2025 however discussions have not concluded in relation to this payment. The remaining balance of 2% will be due to be implemented during the term of the next successor agreement. The ASTI and TUI are designated as the Bargaining Unit for post-primary teachers.

Pay Increases

The Department of Education and Youth has confirmed that the outstanding payments due under the Public Service Agreement 2024 to 2026 (PSA) are subject to compliance with the Agreement, including commitments relating to co-operating with Senior Cycle Redevelopment. In the event that cooperation ceases at any stage, the Department of Education and Youth will refer this to the normal dispute resolution mechanisms under the PSA for appropriate consideration.

The most recent pay increase for 1% was implemented on 1st August 2025. As ASTI remains party to the Public Service Agreement 2024 – 2026, members received this payment as normal.

Timeline for campaign

In October 2025, the ASTI and the Department of Education and Youth agreed to move the dispute to the formal conciliation and arbitration process at the Teachers' Conciliation Council.

In June 2025 ASTI members voted to reject the document Senior Cycle Redevelopment – Implementation Support Measures by 68% to 32% (ballot turnout: 73%). In a separate ballot, ASTI members voted by 67% to 33% in favour of industrial action, up to and including strike action, in opposition to the accelerated implementation of the Senior Cycle Redevelopment Programme (ballot turnout: 70%).

On May 10th the ASTI Central Executive Council voted to put Senior Cycle Redevelopment – Implementation Support Measures to a ballot of ASTI members without a recommendation.

On May 8th, the Department of Education published the document Senior Cycle Redevelopment – Implementation Support Measures.

On April 8th 2025, the Minister for Education and Youth Helen McEntee announced that she was unwilling to postpone the implementation of the accelerated Senior Cycle Redevelopment. The Minister invited the ASTI and the TUI to intensive talks.

On April 15th 2025 the ASTI published a survey undertaken by RedC which found that 50% of school leaders believe their schools do not have an adequate number of labs for the revised Leaving Cert Biology, Chemistry and Physics specifications.

On 19th November 2024, more than 30,000 ASTI and TUI members engaged in a lunch-time protest calling for a delay in the implementation of Senior Cycle redevelopment so that serious issues can be addressed, in particular, resource delivery, teacher CPD and adequate time for NCCA Subject Development Groups to develop appropriate additional component assessment models and markings.

In April 2024, ASTI Annual Convention adopted a number of motions in relation to redevelopment of Senior Cycle curriculum.

In September 2023, the then Minister announced that all additional assessment components (AAC) worth 40% would continue be externally assessed by the State Examinations Commission revising her earlier proposal for school-based assessment with external SEC moderation.

In March 2023, ASTI hosted an education conference on Senior Cycle curriculum change.

In February 2023, following a joint ASTI and TUI campaign of opposition to the plan to move Leaving Certificate Paper One in English and Irish to the end of fifth year from 2024, the then Minister announced the deferral of this proposal.

In October 2022, the ASTI Central Executive Council was addressed by Áine Hyland, Irish educationalist and Emeritus Professor of Education, UCC

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