Richard Bruton
Question:452 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of additional clerical assistant staff in primary schools which is being provided under Vote 27, subhead E, in 1999. [23894/98]
Written Answers - School Staffing.
The subhead to which the Deputy refers is subhead D which funds the 1978 scheme for the employment of clerk-typists in primary schools.
There are currently 224 posts in primary schools under this scheme. There is no provision for any additional posts in 1999 as this scheme is being phased out as posts become vacant. However, in order to maintain the existing number of clerk-typist posts in primary schools, I have provided for an increased allocation of £4,049,000 in the 1999 Estimates, as opposed to the 1998 figure of £3,300,000.
The provision of clerical services in primary schools, which are not included in the 1978 scheme, is now being funded under a phased scheme of additional capitation grants to schools introduced under the Programme for Economic and Social Progress (PESP) in 1992.