Vol. 399 No. 8
127 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education the plans she has to ensure the smooth running of secondary schools following the convention decision of ASTI to direct their members not to carry out the duties which would be performed by secretarial and ancillary staff where such staff is not provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Secondary schools are privately owned and managed. The provision of secretarial and other services are matters to be arranged by the authorities of individual schools.
Per capita grants are paid to secondary schools in the free post-primary education scheme towards the general running costs of the schools. I am pleased to say that I was able to increase the rate of per capita grant by £10 with effect from 1 January 1990.
In addition, a number of secondary schools employ secretaries under a scheme operated by my Department for the provision of secretarial assistance in primary and secondary schools.
