Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 17 Dec 1996

Vol. 473 No. 1

Written Answers. - Caretaker Appointment.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

254 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education if she will give immediate approval to the appointment of a full-time caretaker in a primary school (details supplied) in Dublin 11 in view of the difficulties which this school is undergoing and in view of the essential nature of the role of a full-time caretaker in ensuring the proper running and maintenance of a school with 311 pupils in a severely disadvantaged area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24501/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

The position is that my Department has allowed replacement of caretakers on a full-time basis during the current school year, but only where the schools in question had the required number of teachers, 16 teachers, for the appointment of a full-time caretaker.

Unfortunately, as St. Kevin's school has a teaching staff of fourteen teachers, it is not possible to sanction the appointment of a full-time caretaker to the school.

Under the terms of the Programme for Economic and Social Progress a phased programme of assistance by way of a supplementary capitation grant for the provision of caretaking and clerical services in schools was introduced from 1 September 1992. St. Kevin's school qualifies for a grant of £15 per pupil per annum, subject to a maximum grant of £7,500, towards the cost of caretaking services. Under the scheme a school authority has discretion to apply the funding to meet its particular needs.