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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 21 Nov 2000

Vol. 526 No. 3

Written Answers. - Secretarial and Caretaking Services.

Michael Bell

Question:

143 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Education and Science if, further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 116 and 117 of 11 October 2000, he considers that £7 million under the school services support fund is sufficient to meet the costs to schools associated with the employment of school secretaries and caretakers; if he further considers this funding to be sufficient to allow schools meet their commitments under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26536/00]

At second level, the assistance provided by my Department towards the provision of caretaking and secretarial services reflects the different school management and ownership arrangements.

In the case of voluntary secondary schools in the free education scheme, my Department provides funding towards the cost of secretarial and caretaking services in second level schools under two separate schemes. One scheme is the 1978 scheme for the employment of school secretaries in the larger schools, under which my Department meets the full cost of salary. Pay scales for secretaries under this scheme, as for secretaries and caretakers employed in the comprehensive and community and VEC school sectors, are determined centrally. Increases under the Pro gramme for Prosperity and Fairness have been applied to these scales.
The 1978 scheme has been superseded, under the PESP agreement of 1992, by a more extensive scheme that provides grants to secondary schools towards the cost of secretarial and caretaking services. This scheme provides a grant to schools, which is not related to any particular pay scale. The grants are based on school enrolments and are paid as additions to the standardper capita grant. The level and extent of the service provided is a matter for local school management who, through the discretion afforded by the scheme, apply diverse arrangements for secretarial and caretaking services as resources permit. Secretaries and caretakers employed by schools are employees of the individual schools and my Department does not have any role in determining the pay and conditions under which they are employed. The question of the application of the national agreements in these cases is a matter for the management authorities of the schools and the employees.
In addition to the funding arrangements outlined above, schools now receive additional annual funding of £20 per pupil, with a minimum payment of £4,000 per school under the school services support fund which I introduced recently. This fund will channel an additional £7 million to second level schools each year. Provision for secretarial and caretaking support is a particular focus of this fund.
I am satisfied that the introduction of this additional annual funding is a significant contribution towards school funding. My approach to date has clearly shown my commitment and determination to improve funding at second level.
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