Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 17 Nov 1998

Vol. 496 No. 6

Written Answers - School Caretaking Services.

John V. Farrelly

Question:

419 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is only 15 hours per week for cleaning duties in O'Carolan college, Nobber, County Meath; if his attention has been drawn to the possibility of a serious health hazard as a result of insufficient staff to carry out this work; if he will increase funding for the employment of extra help; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23641/98]

John V. Farrelly

Question:

420 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Education and Science his Department's criteria in relation to the number of cleaning staff assigned to each of the vocational schools in County Meath; the way in which this number compares with the number of students in each school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23642/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

I propose taking Questions Nos. 419 and 420 together.

I am aware of an application from County Meath VEC for additional maintenance resources for O'Carolan college, Nobber, County Meath.

School management issues including the issues of health and safety in schools, are the responsibility of local school management in the first instance and the vocational education committee.

The allocation of maintenance staff in the VEC sector is made on a scheme wide basis and it is a matter for each vocational education committee to deploy the staff as it sees fit. In the case of County Meath Vocational Education Committee scheme of nine schools (2,807 pupils in 1997-8), the current approved allocation is 11 full-time caretakers and 9.5 attendant-cleaner staff whole time equivalents (17,840 hours). This allows at least one full-time caretaker to be allocated to each of its schools and on the basis of its pupil enrolment in 1997-8 an average allocation of 6.5 attendant-cleaning hours per pupil. I understand from the vocational education committee, that the current allocation to Nobber V.S comprises a full-time caretaker and 1,025 cleaning hours.

In deciding the allocation of maintenance resources to vocational education committees, my Department takes into account the overall staffing resources available for allocation to the vocational education committee sector and in relation to each scheme, consideration is given to a range of factors including the existing staffing allocation and its distribution; the number and size of schools; the number of enrolments; and comparison with schemes of similar size.

A decision on the County Meath application will be made shortly.