Written answers

Tuesday, 28 March 2006

Department of Education and Science

School Staffing

11:00 pm

Photo of Seán CroweSeán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 457: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her plans to place all school secretaries and caretakers on her Department's payroll in order that they can have standardised conditions. [11707/06]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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My Department provides funding towards the cost of secretarial and caretaking services in primary schools under two separate schemes. One scheme is the 1978-79 scheme for the employment of full-time secretaries and caretakers in primary schools, under which my Department meets the full cost of salary. This scheme is being phased out as posts become vacant and no new posts are being created.

This scheme has been superseded by a more extensive grant scheme now referred to as the ancillary services grant. The ancillary services grant provides additional funding for primary schools towards the cost of secretarial and caretaking services. The scheme is flexible in nature, giving boards of management discretion as to the manner in which secretarial and caretaking services are provided. The standard rate of grant per pupil under the scheme, which was increased from €102 in 2002 to €127 in 2004, was increased by a further €6 to €133 in 2005. The rate is being increased by a further €6 this year, bringing the rate to €139.

I have no plans to place school secretaries and caretakers on my Department's payroll.

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