I wish to raise the pay and terms and conditions of school caretakers. While I welcome the deal that was done in March for school secretaries, which was overdue and well-deserved, caretakers are not included in this deal. I met a caretaker recently who has worked in his local national school for 30 years. I hope the Minister will agree and acknowledge that caretakers do invaluable work in our schools along with school secretaries. Schools would not function without either. It is important that we do not replace one two-tier system with another in regard to caretakers and have a difference between caretakers and school secretaries within our school communities. We need to see a similar deal for caretakers throughout the State.

I agree. I am not sure what legislative or other mechanism the Department of Education has to make sure that takes place. I will pass on Deputy Kerrane's comment to the Minister for Education to make sure it is heard.