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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 Nov 1999

Vol. 511 No. 6

Written Answers. - School Staffing.

Gay Mitchell

Ceist:

384 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the secretarial and caretaker needs of Loreto junior primary school, Crumlin Road, Dublin 12; if he will direct that the necessary resources are supplied to the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24952/99]

Currently, my Department provides funding towards the cost of secretarial and caretaking services in primary schools under two separate schemes.

Under the scheme for the employment of secretaries and caretakers that was introduced in 1978/79, my Department meets the full cost of salary and employer's PRSI. Under this scheme a number of primary schools, including Loreto junior primary school, qualified for a full-time secretary and caretaker and my Department continues to fund the school in respect of both posts. In the circumstances I am satisfied that the school is adequately resourced in respect of secretarial and caretaking arrangements.

In addition, under the Programme for Economic and Social Progress (PESP), a second scheme was introduced in 1992 whereby my Department provides additional capitation grants for primary schools towards the cost of secretarial and caretaking services. Since its introduction in 1992, the scheme has been expanded in line with undertakings given in the PESP. The scheme has been extended to include more schools by reducing the qualifying enrolment threshold to its current figure of 195 pupils, with an ultimate target of providing additional capitation grants to all primary schools with 100 pupils or more.

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that with effect from January next, all primary schools with 100 or more pupils will be eligible for a grant of £30 per pupil towards secretarial and caretaking services under this scheme. My officials will be writing to all qualifying schools over the next couple of months confirming their inclusion, and setting out the details of the scheme.

I wish to assure the Deputy that I remain committed to improvements in the provision of additional assistance to schools for secretarial and caretaking services.

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