Mr. Andy Pike:

A recap on the engagement will be quick. There has not been any yet. There may be in future, but there has not been any yet. We have written to the Department of Education and Youth stating we are available for face to face discussions on the basis that members will be admitted to the single public service pension scheme. We are not necessarily prepared to go through endless discussions where, at the end of the day, the Department of public expenditure and reform says no. We need a commitment that the basis of the talks will be the how and when secretaries and caretakers will be admitted to the scheme because from that flows the benefits of public service status that are enjoyed, and have been for many years, by teachers and SNAs.