Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2015
559. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will engage with the Department of Social Protection, on behalf of school secretaries, who have to sign on every time they take holidays, and who are not paid for the first days of their claim; if a more friendly efficient service will be put in place, where the person can sign on once a year at the start of the school term, if they have a letter from the schools. [6155/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe majority of primary and voluntary secondary schools in the Free Education Scheme now receive capitation grant assistance to provide for secretarial services. Within the capitation grant schemes, it is a matter for each individual school to decide how best to apply the grant funding to suit its particular needs and my Department does not stipulate how secretarial services are to be obtained. Where a school uses the grant funding to employ a secretary, such staff are employees of individual schools. My Department therefore does not have any role in determining the pay and conditions under which they are engaged.
Accordingly, the matters raised by the Deputy in relation to claiming social welfare benefits are solely a matter for the Minister for Social Protection.
