Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Nov 1993

Vol. 435 No. 9

Written Answers. - Appointment of School Caretaker.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

247 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education the reason she has refused to sanction the appointment of a full-time caretaker to the 540 pupil, 19 teacher primary school, Our Lady of Good Counsel Girls School, Johnstown, Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin, following the retirement on 5 November of the previous full-time caretaker; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the £7,500 caretaker grant which she has made available to the school will not be sufficient to employ a full-time caretaker; her views on whether the school needs a full-time caretaker; the steps, if any, she plans to take to ensure that the school may have a full-time caretaker; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

Under the terms of the Programme for Economic and Social Progress, a phased programme of financial assistance by way of a supplementary capitation grant for the provision of caretaking and clerical services in national schools was introduced from 1 September 1992. The programme is designed to expand the provision of these services by ensuring that all schools with 100 pupils or more will be assisted as soon as possible.

This arrangement devolves upon schools the discretion to decide the level of service needed for their particular school and to provide for those needs accordingly.