asked the Minister for Education if he will give an assurance that the development officers allocated to voluntary organisations will be paid by the Department on an on-going basis and not subject to review after the initial four years and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Education Development Officers.
15.
My Department do not pay development officers appointed by voluntary organisations. Voluntary organisations who employ such officers under the scheme of grant-aid introduced by me last year qualify for financial assistance over a four-year period.
In the first year of employment of an officer a grant of 90 per cent of the cost of employment, subject to a maximum grant of £5,000, is payable. The grants payable for the second, third and fourth years of employment amount to 80 per cent, 70 per cent and 60 per cent of the cost respectively.
In respect of the fifth and subsequent years of employment the organisations availing themselves of the scheme have given a clear commitment to provide the full salary of the development officers themselves.
Questions Nos. 16 and 17 are for written answer.