Vol. 467 No. 2
120 Mr. Lenihan asked the Minister for Education the plans, if any, she has to extend the benefit of a State pension provision to school caretakers who have been engaged in their duties for a period of more than ten years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12994/96]
I have no plans to introduce a pension scheme for primary school caretakers who are employed under my Department's 1979 scheme. This question was explored fully in 1985 when a superannuation scheme was being established for secretaries in primary schools. At the time the age profile of the caretakers employed under the scheme rendered the proposal impractical. The position regarding the age profile has worsened in the interim due to the embargo on recruitment which applied from 1993.
The expansion of caretaking services in primary schools is now being funded through a scheme of additional capitation grants. Through the discretion afforded by this scheme primary schools apply diverse arrangements for caretaking services. These individualised arrangements preclude a central superannuation scheme.
