Written Answers. - School Services Staff.
Richard Bruton
Question:
435
Mr. R. Bruton
asked the
Minister for Education and Science
if he plans to introduce a scheme whereby school secretaries are paid a salary instead of being dependent on a per capita payment based on pupil numbers.
[18721/01]
Seán Haughey
Question:
447
Mr. Haughey
asked the
Minister for Education and Science
if he will reconsider the position of payment of school secretaries in voluntary primary schools; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that primary school secretaries are paid on a grant aided scheme on a per capita basis; if he will consider having his Department employ and directly pay secretaries; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[18860/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 435 and 447 together.
My Department provides funding towards the cost of secretarial services in primary and secondary schools under two separate schemes. One scheme is the 1978 scheme for the employment of school secretaries in primary and secondary schools under which my Department meets the full cost of salary. While these posts are fully funded by my Department, the secretaries involved are employees of the individual school authorities. This scheme is 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 It has been superseded in the PESP agreement of 1992 by a more extensive grant scheme. The PESP scheme provides additionalper capita grants for primary and secondary schools towards secretarial and caretaking services. 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 as to the manner in which secretarial and caretaking services are provided. There are no plans at present to replace this scheme by a scheme of direct payment by my Department.
At primary level, I increased the rates of grant by 33% from £30 per pupil to £40 per pupil with effect from January 2000. Furthermore, with effect from September 2000, I extended the scheme to all primary schools. In addition, I have set a minimum grant of £2,400 per annum which is payable to all schools with 60 pupils or less. These improvements mean that, for the first time, all primary schools now qualify for 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, increased in 2000 to approximately £12.2 million and will further increase this year to approximately £16.8 million.
At second level, 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. 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. The introduction of this additional annual funding is a significant contribution towards enabling schools to meet their commitments.
Question No. 436 answered with Question No. 406.
