Vol. 542 No. 1
146 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Science the terms of transfer of staffs formerly on community employment schemes who were employed in various support roles in schools in the direct employment of the Department of Education and Science; the number of such posts which are being created; the categories involved; the role of the schools' managements in recruiting same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23585/01]
The Deputy will be aware that I have recently secured the transfer of £46 million per annum to my Department on a phased basis between now and 2003, as the FÁS school-based community employment schemes – CE – come to an end. The availability of this funding will enable me to make significant progress on the provision of secretarial and caretaking services to schools by putting in place an equitable system of funding for ancillary services throughout the free education school system. My Department will receive £32 million in this school year.
Funding for caretakers and secretaries will be provided to each primary and second level school and the employment of secretaries and caretakers will be a matter for the board of management.
I recently agreed with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and FÁS that all school-based CE participants with a legitimate expectation of up to three years' participation in a school based CE scheme will be facilitated to complete their full term. This adjustment to the phasing out of CE schemes in schools means that certain CE participants may be entitled to continue working on CE in schools up to and including 2004 depending on their individual circumstances and entitlements under CE. This adjustment should also ensure that the withdrawal of CE schemes takes place on a more gradual basis and, therefore, reduce the immediate impact on schools.
