Vol. 548 No. 2
467 Mr. Dennehy asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to a problem whereby a significant number of caretakers employed under a scheme initiated by his Department in 1979 are unable to avail of occupational pensions; if he will give consideration to initiating such a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4736/02]
Under a scheme introduced in 1979, my Department provides caretaking services to a number of primary schools, wherein those schools employ full-time caretakers, while my Department meets the full cost of salary. The question of introducing a pension scheme for these caretakers was explored in 1985 but, at that time, it was considered that the high age profile of caretakers at that time rendered the introduction of a pension scheme impractical.
My Department is currently re-examining the feasibility of putting in place a pension scheme for these caretakers.
