Vol. 536 No. 1
155 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Science if an application has been received for the appointment of a secretary to a school (details supplied) in County Carlow; and, if so, when the appointment will be approved. [13346/01]
At primary level, my Department provides funding towards the cost of secretarial and caretaking services under two separate schemes. One scheme is the 1978-79 scheme for the employment of clerical officers and caretakers under which my Department meets the full cost of salary and employer's PRSI. This scheme is, however, being phased out, as posts become vacant and no new posts are being created. It has been superseded in the PESP agreement of 1992 by a more extensive grants scheme.
The PESP scheme provides additional per capita grants for primary schools towards secretarial and caretaking services. Under this scheme qualifying schools receive grants of £40 per pupil per annum, £20 per pupil in respect of each service.
These grants are paid as additions to the standard per capita grants. The scheme, by its nature, is flexible and gives boards of management discretion regarding the appointment of secretarial and caretaking staff and the level and extent of service provided. My Department has no function with regard to the appointment of staff under this scheme.
The school in question is currently funded under the PESP scheme in respect of secretarial services. A payment of £5,900 will issue shortly to the school in respect of secretarial services for the year 2001. This is based on the school's enrolment of 295 pupils on 30 September 2000. The school currently has the services of a full-time caretaker employed under this Department's 1979 scheme.
