John Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 692: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the situation in relation to pensions for caretakers in primary schools particularly with regard to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11; if pensions exist for some caretakers or other non-teaching staff; if such a scheme is being worked on; the target date for commencement; if it will apply to staff who have recently retired or to all existing retired staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27628/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Caretaking staff in schools are employed by the individual school authorities. My Department provides funding under two separate schemes towards the cost of employing these staff. One scheme is the 1979 scheme for the employment of full-time caretaking staff in primary schools. Under this scheme my Department meets the full cost of pay. The person in question is employed as a caretaker under the 1979 Scheme.

My Department has recently introduced a superannuation scheme for caretaking staff employed under the 1979 scheme. The Superannuation Scheme provides that membership will be effective from 1 September 2001 in the case of eligible caretakers in service at that time. Membership terminates at the end of the school year in which the caretaker reaches age 65. Caretakers who had already reached age 65 prior to 1 September 2001 are not eligible for membership of the Scheme.

The scheme is a contributory scheme and ongoing deductions from pay of eligible personnel commenced with effect from 7 March 2006. Arrears of contributions are payable in respect of the period from 1 September 2001 to the date ongoing deductions commenced, or the date membership ended if earlier. Eligible staff will be notified in due course of the arrears due in respect of that period. In accordance with standard public service arrangements, there is also provision for reckoning service given prior to 1 September 2001 subject to verification of the service concerned and payment of the appropriate contributions.

Eligible personnel and school authorities were informed of the introduction of the superannuation scheme prior to the commencement of deductions from pay. A circular setting out further details regarding the superannuation scheme, including the provisions for payment of arrears of contributions, is being prepared and will be issued shortly.

The person in question was eligible for membership of the scheme until 31 August 2002 — the end of the school-year in which he reached age 65. He has continued in employment until recently in a non-pensionable capacity. Subject to the payment of appropriate contributions in respect of his reckonable service, he will be eligible for pension with effect from the date of his retirement in 2006. A Retirement Gratuity will also be payable based on his annual rate of pay on his last day of reckonable service on 31 August 2002. Contributions owing to the scheme may be paid by deduction from the Retirement Gratuity.

The 1979 scheme is being phased out. It has been superseded by an extensive grant scheme now referred to as the Ancillary Services grant. The Ancillary Services grant provides funding for primary schools towards the cost of secretarial and caretaking services. The Scheme, by its nature, is flexible and gives Boards of Management discretion as to the manner in which secretarial and caretaking services are provided. Staff engaged by schools under the Ancillary Services grant are paid by the managerial authorities of the schools and are non-pensionable.