Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 Jun 2002

Vol. 553 No. 5

Written Answers. - School Staffing.

Michael Ring

Question:

226 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the action he will take to ensure parity of treatment for special needs assistants in primary and secondary schools; when the payroll will be set up for post-primary schools in order that they can be paid direct from his Department; the guidelines for payment during the summer months including eligibility, criteria and so on; when this anomaly will be rectified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14326/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

Following a review, a revised pay structure and conditions of service were introduced for special needs assistants employed in approved posts in second level schools with effect from 1 September 2001. The new pay structure is in line with the structure applied to special needs assistants in primary schools.

My Department is considering ways by which the centralised payroll services, which it operates on behalf of school authorities, can be enhanced to provide an improved payroll service to schools. Implementation of any proposals for enhancement of this service will be subject to the agreement of the school management representative bodies.

I have made arrangements to have the circular relating to pay and conditions of employment for special needs assistants in second level schools forwarded to the Deputy.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

227 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 will be afforded a classroom assistant; and if this will be confirmed to their school. [14466/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I am pleased to advise the Deputy that my Department has approved the allocation of a special needs assistant post to support the child in question. The school authorities have been notified accordingly.

Barry Andrews

Question:

228 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will accede to a request (details supplied) from St. Anne's national school, Shankill, County Dublin, as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14467/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The career break scheme for primary teachers provides that permanent teachers having served their probationary period may take unpaid leave for up to five school years. The terms of the career break scheme were agreed with the managerial authorities of primary schools and the INTO.

The person referred to by the Deputy has now taken her full complement of unpaid leave under this scheme. As the maximum leave available under the career break scheme has already been taken, I regret that there is no basis on which an extension of unpaid leave may be granted to the teacher referred to for the 2002-2003 school year.