Mary Flaherty
Question:87 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Education if there is a pension scheme available for school caretakers; and if not, if she has any plans for the introduction of such a scheme.
Written Answers. - School Caretakers.
There is no pension scheme for school caretakers employed under the existing scheme of assistance towards the employment of caretakers in primary schools. The scheme of assistance in question is being phased out on introduction of arrangements for the provision of caretaking and clerical services to schools under the Programme for Economic and Social Progress. Under these arrangments, which operate on the basis of a grant to schools, conditions of employment are a matter for the employing school authority. On this account and having regard to the age profile of the existing staff involved, I have no plans to introduce a pension scheme for caretakers.
In the case of secondary schools, increased capitation grants are payable under the Programme of Economic and Social Progress to enable the larger schools to employ caretakers. Their rates of pay, conditions of service, tax and social welfare contributions are dealt with by the employing authority. I have no plans at present to introduce a penson for this group.
Full time caretakers in vocational schools can avail of the contributory superannuation schemes of the Department of the Environment for vocational education committee employees. Community and comprehensive schools have a contributory superannuation scheme for permanent whole-time caretakers.