Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 29 Nov 2000

Vol. 527 No. 1

Written Answers. - Community Employment Scheme.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

138 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide additional funding to primary schools which are not provided with caretaking services through the community employment scheme thereby ensuring equity within the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27882/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

Responsibility for the operation of community employment schemes in primary schools rests with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Officials from my Department are in discussions with their counterparts in that Department regarding this issue. In general, I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to the provision by my Department of additional assistance to schools for caretaking and secretarial services.

At primary level, my Department provides funding towards the cost of caretaking and secretarial services under two separate schemes. One scheme is the 1978-79 scheme for the employment of school caretakers and secretaries under which my Department meets the full cost of salary and employers' PRSI. However, this scheme has been superseded in the PESP agreement of 1992 by a more extensive grant scheme.

The PESP scheme provides additionalper capita grants for primary schools towards caretaking and secretarial services. Under this scheme qualifying schools receive grants of £40 per pupil – £20 per pupil in respect of each service – subject to a maximum of £20,000 – maximum of £10,000 in respect of each service.

These grants are paid as additions to the standardper capita grants. The scheme, by its nature, is flexible and gives boards of management discretion as to the manner in which caretaking and secretarial services are to be provided.

I increased the rates of grant by 33% from £30 per pupil to £40 per pupil with effect from January this year. Furthermore, with effect from September of this year, I extended the scheme to all primary schools. In addition, I have set a minimum grant of £2,400 per annum which is payable to all schools with 60 pupils or less.

These improvements mean that with effect from September 2000 all primary schools are receiving an annual grant to assist them with the provision of caretaking and secretarial services. The Government's commitment in this regard can also be measured by the fact that the funding allocated for this purpose, which was approximately £5.6 million in 1999 has increased this year to approximately £12.2 million and will further increase in 2001 to approximately £16.8 million.