Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 December 2006
460 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Education and Science if the avenue for self development and preparation for promotion is denied to voluntary secondary school teachers adding to the numbers of voluntary secondary teachers seeking early retirement from the teaching service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42394/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor every profession, it is important that its members have access to professional development and teachers are not an exception. It can be argued that teachers, because of their key role in the preparation of students for their role in society, are one profession where such development is of critical importance. Opportunities for professional development enable teachers to enhance their teaching and learning while continuing to provide a high quality of education and improved student outcomes.
This is why I was particularly proud to have launched the Teaching Council of Ireland earlier this year. The Teaching Council is responsible, amongst a number of other issues, for the education and professional development of members of the teaching profession. In addition, my Department has put in place a range of measures to assist the professional development of teachers. The priority I attach to providing quality professional development for teachers is evident from the levels of funding provided in successive budgets for this purpose. In general terms, my Department's Teacher Education Section supports the continuous professional development of primary and post-primary teachers through the establishment of National Programmes (dealing with new or revised curricula) and Support Services (covering a range of issues relating to teaching and learning). In addition, the network of twenty-one Education Centres provides a wide variety of courses. Teachers also have the opportunity to attend courses in a personal capacity and apply for a refund of fees in accordance with my Department's Teacher Fee Refund Scheme. Furthermore, teachers can also avail of the arrangements operated by the Revenue Commissioners under which individuals can apply for a rebate of taxation of certain tuition fees.
The opportunities for professional development outlined above are open to all teachers but it should be noted that in some circumstances they only be applicable to teachers of a particular subject.
461 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on whether all school secretaries employed by schools here should be employed on the same principle regardless of the school in which they work; her further views on whether all secretaries should be paid by her Department; if this is discrimination; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42395/06]
Amharc ar fhreagra462 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on whether school secretaries should be paid in the same manner as special need assistants, that is all being paid directly by her Department, in line with the Protection of Employees (Part-Time Work) Act 2001 and the Protection of Employees (Fixed Term Work) Act 2003; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42396/06]
Amharc ar fhreagra463 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on whether all school secretaries should be paid by her Department in view of the fact that these persons are doing the same work as secretaries who are paid by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42397/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 461 to 463, inclusive, together.
My Department provides funding towards the cost of secretarial services in primary and secondary schools under two separate schemes. One is the 1978 scheme for the employment of school secretaries in primary and secondary schools under which my Department meets the full cost of salary. The 1978 scheme is being phased out as posts become vacant and no new posts are being created.
The 1978 scheme has been superseded by a more extensive school support grant scheme towards the funding of ancillary services in schools including secretarial services. The scheme is flexible in nature giving Boards of Management and schools discretion as to the manner in which these services are provided. The terms and conditions of employment are matters for agreement between the employee and the authorities of each school. The Department does not stipulate any rules concerning how the secretarial services are to be obtained by schools. Accordingly the arrangements are suited to local needs and are not standard across the sector.
There have been significant improvements in recent years in the level of funding for primary and voluntary secondary schools. In addition to the €12 per pupil increase in 2006 in the standard per capita grant that now stands at €298 per pupil, voluntary secondary schools have benefited additionally by the increase of €14 per pupil in 2006 in the support services grant bringing the overall grant to €159 per pupil.
I wish to draw the attention of the Deputy to my announcement of further significant increases in the context of the 2007 estimates. From 1 January next the standard per capita grant for secondary schools will be increased by a further €18 to €316 per pupil. In addition, the support services grant will be increased by a further €30 for voluntary secondary schools, which includes a further equalisation measure, to €189 per pupil. For such schools this cumulative increase of €48 per pupil will bring the aggregate grant to over €500 per pupil from 1 January next. These grants are in addition to the per capita funding of up to €40,000 per school that is also provided by my Department to secondary schools towards secretarial and care-taking services. For example in the case of a secondary school with 500 pupils, this will bring annual grants towards general expenses and support service to over €290,000.
At primary level, the basic rate of capitation will increase by €18 per pupil next year to a level of €163.58 per pupil from January. The ancillary services grant will also increase by €6.50 to €145.50 per pupil. Taken together, these increases mean that primary schools eligible for the full ancillary services grant will get €24.50 extra per pupil to cover their day to day running costs next year, with a primary school of 300 pupils getting nearly €7,400 extra next year. In fact, this 300 pupil school will get approximately €93,000 from my Department next year to meet such costs.
The provision that I have made, in the context of the 2007 estimates, for these significant increases in the funding of primary and voluntary secondary schools is a clear demonstration of my commitment to prioritise available resources to address the needs of schools.
