I wish to raise the matter of pay and conditions for school caretakers and secretaries, which is a long-standing issue. An apparent breakthrough was made last September when the Department conceded that all school secretaries and caretakers should be placed on the public service clerical officer scale. A promise was also made in that deal that these people would not have to sign on during summer breaks. Will the Taoiseach bring the House up to date as regards a conclusion for this really important matter?

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I brought the House up to date on it twice yesterday.

Will he do so again?

I will not go through the whole thing but a lot of progress has been made. The most recent meeting was on 26 or 27 January and both sides are reflecting on that discussion. The matter is progressing and we want to see it brought to a conclusion as quickly as it can be.