Vol. 415 No. 4
194 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Education if he will give details of (a) the number of primary schools in the country and (b) the number of primary schools which have the services of a secretary; and if he has any plans to provide secretarial assistance for all primary schools.
There are 3,341 primary schools in the country. This figure includes 117 special schools.
There are 299 national schools which have clerical assistance on either a fulltime or a shared basis under my Department's existing scheme of grants for assistance. In addition a considerable number of schools also have clerical assistance under the social employment scheme operated by FÁS. I do not have precise details in the form requested of the numbers of schools involved.
Commencing in 1992, eligible primary and secondary school will receive increased capitation grant assistance towards the employment of caretakers and clerical assistants under arrangements agreed in the Programme for Economic and Social Progress.
