Derek McDowell
Question:376 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will examine the possibility of introducing a pension scheme for school caretakers. [30414/01]
Written Answers. - Pension Provisions.
My Department provides funding towards the cost of caretaking services in primary and secondary schools under two separate schemes. One scheme is the 1979 scheme for the employment of school caretakers in the larger primary schools, under which my Department meets the full cost of salary. The question of introducing a pension scheme for caretakers employed under the 1979 scheme was explored in 1985. However, it was considered that the high age profile of caretakers at that time rendered the introduction of a pension scheme impractical. The position regarding the age profile has worsened in the interim. There are no plans at present to introduce such a pension scheme for caretakers employed in primary schools. The Deputy may be assured that I will keep this matter under review.
The 1979 scheme has been superseded under the PESP agreement of 1992 by a more extensive scheme that provides grants for primary and secondary schools towards the cost of caretaking services. The scheme by its nature is flexible and gives schools discretion as to the manner in which caretaking services are provided. Caretakers employed by schools are employees of the individual schools and my Department does not have any role regarding how they are employed. These individualised arrangements currently preclude a central superannuation scheme.
The funding arrangements for the VEC and C and C school sectors at second level include provision for caretaking services to schools. Pension scheme provisions apply in both sectors to caretakers.