Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Apr 1997

Vol. 478 No. 1

Written Answers. - School Caretaking.

Joe Jacob

Question:

124 Mr. Jacob asked the Minister for Education if she will review the situation at a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow in relation to caretaking services in order to provide additional resources to raise the cleaning and other caretaking standards at the school to an acceptable level. [10377/97]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

St. Patrick's Loreto primary school is currently in receipt of financial assistance by means of a supplementary capitation grant for the provision of caretaking services, as set out under the terms of the Programme for Economic and Social Progress.

The position of schools, which are currently in receipt of the maximum grant available under the terms of the scheme, will be examined in the context of whatever improvements are put in place in the later stages of the phased programme.

In respect of the resources for cleaning which are catered for under the capitation grant, I should point out that since taking office I have made significant improvements in the level of funding for primary schools. The standard rate of capitation grant has been increased from a level of £28 in 1992 to £45 per pupil, an increase of over 60 per cent.