Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 November 2004
462 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the position with regard to the status and pension conditions of school caretakers; if previous employment as a school caretaker in a temporary capacity is reckonable if a person moves to permanent employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28902/04]
View answerSchool caretakers are employed directly by school management authorities or vocational education committees. Caretakers in vocational schools are employed and paid by the appropriate VEC. Those employed on a whole-time basis are pensionable under the education sector superannuation scheme, formerly the local government superannuation scheme.
Caretakers employed on a whole-time basis in community and comprehensive schools are pensionable under the terms of the contributory pension scheme for full-time non-teaching staff of comprehensive and community schools.
In the case of voluntary secondary schools, each school receives a grant from my Department for the provision of caretaking and other ancillary services. It is a matter for the school to determine how best to meet its caretaking requirements. No public service pension scheme currently exists for caretakers employed in such schools.
In primary schools there are two separate arrangements for the provision of caretaking services. In both instances the school authorities are the employers. Under a limited scheme introduced in 1979, caretakers are employed on a whole-time bases in 204 schools. In all other primary schools these provisions are superseded by an arrangement under which each school receives a grant from my Department for the provision of caretaking and other ancillary services. No public service pension scheme currently exists for any caretakers in primary schools.
The question of pension cover for those school caretaking personnel not currently covered by an occupational pension scheme, including those caretakers employed on a part-time basis, is among the issues that fall to be considered in the context of the implementation of the recently enacted Protection of Employees (Fixed-term Work) Act 2003 and the Protection of Employees (Part-time Work) Act 2001. Discussions with the education partners are ongoing regarding the implementation of these Acts. My Department's approach will be informed by the outcome of these discussions and developments in the wider public service.
I can confirm that temporary whole-time service is reckonable, subject to payment of appropriate contributions, by persons who are admitted to membership of public service pension schemes.
