Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 12 Oct 1999

Vol. 509 No. 1

Written Answers. - School Secretarial and Caretaking Services.

Seán Haughey

Question:

328 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will sanction a full-time secretary and caretaker for Scoil Áine senior girls' national school, Raheny, Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19474/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

Currently, my Department provides funding towards the cost of secretarial and caretaking services in primary schools under two separate schemes.

Under the scheme for the employment of secretaries that was introduced in 1978, my Department meets the full cost of salary and employer's PRSI. Under this scheme a number of primary schools qualified for a shared secretary and Scoil Áine, Raheny, is currently involved in a sharing arrangement with Scoil Eithne, Edenmore. This scheme, is however, being phased out as posts become vacant and there is no provision for the appointment of full time secretaries in posts that are being shared.

Under the Programme for Economic and Social Progress – PESP – a second scheme was introduced in 1992 whereby my Department provides additional capitation grants for primary schools towards the cost of secretarial and caretaking services. Scoil Áine currently receives £15 per pupil, towards the cost of caretaking services under this scheme.

Should the existing secretarial post fall vacant, my Department will provide Scoil Áine and Scoil Eithne 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.