Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 7 Dec 2000

Vol. 527 No. 5

Written Answers. - Secretarial and Caretaking Services.

Paul McGrath

Question:

232 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the way in which the system of funding from his Department for school secretaries in voluntary secondary schools compares to that in place for the provision of secretaries in other second level schools; and the reason there is a shortfall for voluntary secondary schools. [29077/00]

Paul McGrath

Question:

233 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the way in which the system of funding from his Department for school caretakers in voluntary secondary schools compares to that in place for the provision of caretakers in other second level schools; and the reason there is such a shortfall for voluntary secondary schools. [29078/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 232 and 233 together.

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

Voluntary secondary schools with 200 pupils or more in the free education scheme receive financial assistance towards the cost of both caretaking and secretarial services under the PESP scheme. There are also a number of secondary schools in the 1978 scheme for the employment of school secretaries under which my Department meets the full cost of salary. In the case of vocational schools and colleges, caretaking and clerical staff are allocated to vocational education committees on a scheme wide basis. 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.

The funding arrangements for the different school types at second level have evolved in a manner that reflect the different traditions and structures of the voluntary secondary, comprehensive and community and VEC sectors. This evolution has, by its very nature, generated funding anomalies and structures that lack uniformity and cohesion. In this regard, I consider that the report of the steering group on the funding of second level schools represents a comprehensive review of the funding arrangements and is a most valuable document in both its analysis and clarity of approach. While further work is required to bring greater uniformity and cohesion to this aspect of the funding of schools, my priority is to focus on the issue of adequacy of funding.

In this connection, I have already shown my commitment by the establishment of the school services support fund, which is a significant initiative in the funding of our schools. 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. Provision for secretarial and caretaking support is a particular focus of this fund.

My approach to date has clearly shown my commitment and determination to improve funding at second level and I intend to build further on progress to date.