Vol. 467 No. 2
127 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education the rates of pay applicable to school caretakers; whether there is parity between caretakers in primary and second level schools; whether incremental scales exist; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13014/96]
Parity of pay, which is incrementally based, exists between the pay of caretakers at primary level, who are employed under a Department of Education scheme set up in 1979, and the pay of caretakers at second level employed within the vocational education committee and community and comprehensive sectors. Pay rates are determined at both levels by a relativity to the general operative related grade in the relevant local authority area. All increases payable under the national pay agreements are automatically passed on to caretakers through the aforementioned relationship with the local authority.
In the case of primary and secondary schools where the Department provides financial assistance towards the provision of caretaking staff under the terms of the Programme for Economic and Social Progress, the position is that caretakers are employees of the individual schools and my Department does not have any role in determining pay and conditions under which they are engaged. These are matters to be agreed between each caretaker and his or her employer.
I will arrange to forward to the Deputy the revised pay scales effective from 1 June 1996.
