Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Nov 1993

Vol. 435 No. 9

Written Answers. - Secretarial-Caretaker School Facilities.

Chris Flood

Question:

251 Mr. Flood asked the Minister for Education if she will provide secretarial and caretaking facilities at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 22 for the exclusive use of that school in view of the fact that it has 500 pupils on the roll; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

The school in question is already receiving assistance by way of a sharing arrangement for both a caretaker and a clerical assistant.

The Programme for Economic and Social Progress provided for the introduction of a phased programme to expand the provision for caretaking and clerical services to all national schools with 100 pupils upwards.

Phase 1 of this programme was introduced in September 1992 and targeted schools with enrolments of 500 pupils or more which did not have caretaking and/or clerical services already. Phase 2, implemented in September 1993, using the same criteria, catered for schools with 400 plus pupils, as well as making special provision for schools in designated disadvantaged areas.

The question of providing additional assistance to schools which at present have a cartaker service available to them on a shared basis has not yet been determined. At the present stage, priority is being given to schools which do not have a service under the Department's arrangements.