Dermot Ahern
Question:313 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Education if she will allocate a permanent caretaker to St. Brigid's, Bothar Brugha, Drogheda, County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2218/94]
Written Answers. - Drogheda (Louth) School.
My Department no longer sanctions permanent new caretaker posts in primary schools under the original scheme which provided for such posts.
The provision of caretaking services in schools is now addressed by a scheme of additional capitation grants introduced on foot of a commitment in theProgramme for Economic and Social Progress. The Programme for Economic and Social Progress provided for 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 provision for schools in designated disadvantaged areas.
It is likely that the enrolment of St. Brigid's School will qualify the school for inclusion in the next phase due this autumn. My Department will be in contact with the school authority shortly in that regard.