Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 30 Jan 2002

Vol. 547 No. 1

Written Answers. - Schools Funding.

Nora Owen

Ceist:

1330 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Education and Science if the payments made to small schools for the hiring of persons (details supplied) will at least reach the current FÁS workers payment rather than the 127 per pupil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2468/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

My Department provides funding towards ancillary services in schools in the form of assistance to schools towards the cost of secretarial and caretaking services. In line with a PPF commitment to mainstream certain essential services provided under community employment schemes, I recently secured the transfer of 58,407,951 per annum to my Department on a phased basis between 2001 and 2003, as the FÁS school-based CE schemes come to an end. The availability of this funding has enabled me to make significant progress in relation to the provision of secretarial and caretaking services to schools by putting in place an equitable system of funding for ancillary services throughout the free education school system. My Department received a total of 40,631,618 for the 2001-02 school year.

I am increasing the grant for caretakers and secretaries from 50.79 per pupil per annum to 126.98 per pupil over this school year and the next. With effect from September 2001, the grant has been increased from 50.79 to 76.18 per pupil. This has been further increased to 101.58 per pupil with effect from January 2002. As a result, the minimum grant to be paid to schools with 60 pupils or less has been increased from 3,047.37 to 6,094.74, while schools with 500 pupils or more will increase from 25,394.76 to 50,789.52 per annum.

My Department has now issued circulars to all primary schools outlining details of the new funding arrangements. These circulars clearly indicate that the grants to schools are not directly linked to any particular pay scale and that the pay and conditions of personnel employed by schools are matters to be agreed between the staff concerned and the school authorities. I am setting aside 2,539,476 to respond to the particular difficulties which may be experienced by some schools.

The Deputy will also be aware that I recently agreed with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and FÁS that all school based CE participants with a legitimate expectation of up to three years participation in a school based CE scheme will be facilitated to complete their full term. This adjustment to the phasing out of CE schemes in schools means that certain CE participants may be entitled to continue working on CE in schools up to and including 2004 depending on their individual circumstances and entitlements under CE. This adjustment should also ensure that the withdrawal of CE schemes takes place on a more gradual basis and therefore reduce the immediate impact on schools.