In the case of primary and secondary schools, my Department provides funding towards the cost of secretarial and caretaking services under two separate schemes. One scheme is the 1978-79 scheme for the employment of school secretaries in primary and secondary schools, and caretakers in primary schools. Under that scheme my Department meets the full cost of salary. Since 1985, pension scheme arrangements have applied to secretaries employed under this scheme.
The question of introducing a pension scheme for caretakers employed under this scheme was also explored in 1985 but, at that time, it was considered that the high age profile of caretakers rendered the introduction of a pension scheme impractical. However, my Department is currently re-examining the feasibility of putting a pension scheme for these caretakers in place.