Michael Creed
Question:195 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide a specific financial allocation to all post primary schools for the purpose of providing secretarial and caretaker services. [3834/99]
Written Answers. - Schools Funding.
Existing funding arrangements for post primary schools includes provision for the purpose of providing secretarial and caretaker services in schools. The way in which this provision is made reflects the different management and ownership arrangements for vocational schools and community colleges, community and comprehensive schools and voluntary secondary schools and is consistent with the manner in which resources generally are allocated to these schools.
The allocation of caretaking and secretarial posts in the vocational education sector is made on a scheme wide basis and it is a matter for each committee to deploy the staff as it sees fit. Most schools in this sector have the services of a full-time caretaker and a secretary. Community and comprehensive schools have a full-time secretary and caretaker and schools with an enrolment in excess of 500 pupils have two full-time secretaries. Voluntary secondary schools with enrolments of 200 or more are in receipt of additional per capita grants towards the provision of caretaking and secretarial services, subject to a maximum of £8,750 for caretaking and £10,500 in the case of secretarial services. The manner in which these services are provided is a matter for individual schools.