Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 13 Oct 1998

Vol. 495 No. 1

Written Answers. - Schools Secretarial Service.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

413 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the provisions he is putting in place for schools, which are being deprived of secretarial services following the reduction in FÁS schemes, to overcome the loss of these essential services. [19474/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

While the responsibility for the operation of FÁS schemes in schools rests with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, I can assure the Deputy that I remain committed to the provision of additional assistance to schools for clerical services.

At primary level my Department provides funding towards the cost of secretarial services under two separate schemes. One scheme is the 1978 scheme for the employment of clerical officers under which my Department meets the full cost of salary and employer's PRSI. However, this scheme is being phased out as posts become vacant.

The second scheme is the provision by my Department of additional capitation grants for primary schools as agreed under the Programme for Economic and Social Progress and has been in operation since 1 September 1992. The PESP provided for the introduction of a phased scheme of additional capitation grants with a view to expanding the provision of caretaking and clerical services to all primary schools with 100 pupils or more. Currently, all schools of 195 pupils or more, not including schools in the 1978 scheme outlined above, qualify for a grant of £15 per pupil, to a maximum of £7,500 per annum, towards the cost of clerical services.

At second level the assistance provided by my Department towards the provision of caretaking and secretarial services reflects the different school management and ownership arrangements at second level.

In the case of voluntary secondary schools in the free education scheme, all schools with 200 or more pupils receive financial assistance towards the cost of both caretaking and clerical services. In the case of vocational schools and colleges, caretaking and clerical staff are allocated to vocational education committees on a scheme-wide basis. It is a matter for the vocational education committee to deploy staff in the best manner possible to meet the needs of the committee and its schools. All schools in the community and comprehensive school sector have been provided with clerical and caretaking services.

I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to further improvements in these programmes as resources permit.