Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 28 Mar 2002

Vol. 551 No. 4

Written Answers. - Community Employment Scheme.

Jackie Healy-Rae

Question:

260 Mr. Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the discriminatory way small schools are being treated since the transfer of schemes previously funded by FÁS to his Department; if he will investigate the anomaly in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10868/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

My Department provides funding towards ancillary services in schools in the form of assistance to schools towards the cost of secretarial and caretaking services. Responsibility for the operation of Community Employment, CE, schemes in schools lies with FÁS. In line with a PPF commitment to mainstream certain essential services provided under CE, I recently secured the transfer of some €58,407,951 per annum to my Department on a phased basis between 2001 and 2003 as the FÁS school-based CE schemes come to an end. The availability of this funding has enabled me to make significant progress in relation to 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 received a total of €40.6 million for the 2001-02 school year.

At primary level, I am increasing the grant for caretakers and secretaries from €50.79 per pupil per annum to €126.98 per pupil over this school year and the next. With effect from September 2001, the grant was increased from €50.79 to €76.18 per pupil. This has been further increased to €101.58 per pupil with effect from January 2002. As a result the minimum grant to be paid to schools with 60 pupils or less has increased from €3,047.37 to €6,094.74 per annum. At second level, I introduced in September 2000 the school services support fund under which schools now receive additional annual funding. With effect from November 2001, the annual grant was increased from €25.40 per pupil to €63.49 per pupil. This will further increase to €88.88 per pupil next September and to €99.04 per pupil in January 2003. These increases are in addition to the provision made to schools for secretaries and caretakers under separate schemes. Smaller schools will benefit from an increase in the minimum services support grant to €19,808 per annum.

In the case of voluntary secondary schools, the introduction of a range of equalisation measures that I announced recently will bring the minimum support services grant in the case of such schools to €32,264 from September next and to €34,296 from 1 January next. Finally, I am aware that the phasing out of CE schemes may result in some schools experiencing certain difficulties. In this regard, I have set aside approximately €2.5 million in 2002 to respond to the particular difficulties that may be experienced by some schools. I have not yet finalised proposals as to how this money will be allocated. The Deputy will also be aware that 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 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.