Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 2 Mar 1999

Vol. 501 No. 3

Written Answers. - School Staffing.

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

338 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will appoint a full-time secretary to each of St. Joseph's senior and junior schools in Ballymun, Dublin 11, which currently have a total complement of 44 teachers and cater for a population of 520 pupils. [6313/99]

Pat Carey

Question:

352 Mr. P. Carey asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on whether a separate secretary should be appointed to St Joseph's senior and junior schools, Balcurris Road, Ballymun, Dublin 11 in view of the fact that there is a total of 44 teachers who cater for 520 pupils and these schools have the most severe of social and educational needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5863/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 338 and 352 together.

My Department provides funding towards the cost of secretarial services in primary schools under two separate schemes.

Under the scheme for the employment of secretaries which was introduced in 1978, my Department meets the full cost of salary and employer's PRSI. This is the scheme under which St. Joseph's junior school and St. Joseph's senior school qualified for the shared secretary arrangement. However this scheme is being phased out as posts become vacant and there is no provision for the appointment of full-time secretaries in posts which are being shared. In the circumstances it will not be possible to sanction the appointment of an additional full-time secretary to either school.

Under the Programme for Economic and Social Progress, a second scheme was introduced in 1992 whereby my Department provides additional capitation grants for primary schools towards the cost of secretarial services.

Should the existing shared post fall vacant, my Department will provide both schools with a grant of £15 per pupil per annum towards the cost of secretarial services (subject to a maximum grant of £7,500 to each school) in accordance with the current terms of the PESP scheme.