Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 11 Oct 2000

Vol. 523 No. 5

Written Answers. - Secretarial and Caretaking Services.

Liz McManus

Question:

116 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on the adequacy of the current financial supports to schools in respect of caretaker services; and the plans he has to eliminate the discrepancies in the funding regimes among different categories of schools and to put all school care-taking services on a proper financial footing in view of the economic buoyancy and the fall in the numbers on social employment schemes. [21486/00]

Liz McManus

Question:

117 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Education and Science the financial supports to schools in respect of school secretarial services; the plans he has to eliminate the discrepancies in the funding regimes among different categories of schools and to put all school secretarial services on a proper financial footing in view of the economic buoyancy and the fall in the numbers on social employment schemes. [21487/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 117 together.

At primary level my Department provides funding towards the cost of caretaking and secretarial services under two separate schemes. One scheme is the 1978-79 scheme for the employment of caretakers and clerical officers under which my Department meets the full cost of salary and employer's PRSI. However, this scheme has been superseded in the PESP Agreement of 1992 by a more extensive grant scheme.

The PESP scheme provides additional per-capita grants for primary schools towards secretarial and caretaking services. I have extended the scheme to all primary schools with effect from September of this year. All primary schools, other than those in the 1978-79 scheme, are now entitled to grant assistance on an annual basis from my Department of £40 per pupil – £20 in respect of secretarial assistance and £20 in respect of caretaking assistance – with a minimum grant of £2,400 being payable to all schools with 60 pupils or less. My Department is currently finalising a circular on this matter that will shortly issue to all schools. In addition, schools with 100 pupils or less will also shortly be receiving grant assistance in respect of the period from September to December of this year.

These improvements mean that with effect from September 2000 all primary schools have become entitled to an annual grant to assist them with the provision of secretarial and caretaking services. The Government's commitment in this regard can also be measured by the fact that the funding allocated for this purpose, which was approximately £5.6 million in 1999 has increased this year to approximately £12.2 million and will further increase in 2001 to approximately £16.8 million.

At second level, the funding arrangements for post-primary schools includes provision for the purpose of providing secretarial and caretaker services in schools. In the case of voluntary secondary schools in the free education scheme, all schools with 200 or more pupils receive financial assistance towards the cost of both caretaking and secretarial services. In the case of vocational schools and colleges, it is a matter for the vocational education committee to deploy staff in the best manner possible to meet the needs of the committee and its schools. All schools in the community and comprehensive school sector have been provided with clerical and caretaking services.

My recent announcement of the introduction of a school services support fund at second level from September of this year is a significant initiative in the funding of our schools. My approach in establishing this fund is to address deficiencies in the existing funding structures. Schools will now receive additional annual funding of £20 per pupil with a minimum payment of £4,000 per school. This fund will channel an additional £7 million to schools each year. While provision for support services, including secretarial and caretaking, is a particular focus of this fund, schools are being given discretion in line with that available in relation to per capita grants as to how this additional funding is best utilised in the interests of their pupils.

I am fully committed to an equitable and fair funding regime for second level schools and I will continue to prioritise available resources to address the needs of schools.