Vol. 508 No. 5
124 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the discrimination against secondary voluntary schools in relation to access to caretakers and secretaries; and the proposals, if any, he has in this regard. [19404/99]
I am aware that different funding arrangements are in place for the different school sectors at second level. These arrangements contain provision for secretarial and caretaking services in schools and vocational education commit tees. Voluntary secondary schools receive additional per capita grants towards the provision of caretaking and secretarial services, subject to 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. vocational education committees receive allocations for administrative and maintenance staff to be allocated as each committee sees fit. All community and comprehensive schools have at least one caretaker and secretary with increased provision for the larger schools. The cost of secretarial and caretaking staff allocations for vocational education committees and community and comprehensive schools is met centrally by my Department.
The matter of equity in second level funding has been examined by a steering group, which included representatives from all the education partners. The group is expected to make recommendations regarding a funding framework for second level which will ensure equal treatment of different schools while taking account of the needs of these schools. The report of the group is currently being finalised. I expect to receive it shortly and arrange for its dissemination.
