Jimmy Deenihan
Question:324 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science if a full-time secretary for Abbeydorney national school, Tralee, County Kerry, will be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11778/03]
Written Answers. - School Staffing.
My Department provides funding towards the cost of secretarial and caretaking services in primary schools under two separate schemes. One scheme is the 1978-79 scheme for the employment of full-time secretaries and caretakers in primary schools, under which my Department meets the full cost of salary. This scheme is being phased out as posts become vacant and no new posts are being created. This scheme was superseded in the 1992 PESP agreement by a more extensive grant scheme, now referred to as the ancillary services grant. The ancillary services grant provides additional funding for primary schools towards the cost of 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. Abbeydorney national school receives funding under this scheme.
The level of funding provided to schools by my Department in respect of ancillary services has increased from €102 per pupil in 2002 to €127 per pupil in 2003 –€63.50 per pupil per service. Based on an enrolment figure of 82 pupils on 30 September last, Abbeydorney national school received a grant of €10,414 in respect of secretarial and caretaking services for 2003.
Cecilia Keaveney
Question:325 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to an application for a classroom assistant by a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11816/03]
An application for special needs assistant support for the child in question was received in my Department in November 2002. In March 2003, my officials asked the school which the child is attending to furnish professional documentation in support of the application to the national educational psychological service. A further request for this documentation issued to the school in April 2003. The relevant supporting documentation has not been received by NEPS.