Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 538: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will make a statement on the anomaly which exists regarding the payment of school secretaries, with some getting paid directly by her Department with proper salaries and pension entitlements while others doing the same work are reliant on the amount the school authorities decide to a pay them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3964/07]

Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 539: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the fact that some school secretaries being paid directly by schools have not received the pay increase granted in July 2006 or the increase granted from January 2007, with schools pleading an inability to pay despite circulars sent from her Department to schools stating differently, her views on whether this deems her Department not to be an equal opportunities employer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3965/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 538 and 539 together.

My Department provides funding towards the cost of secretarial services in primary schools under two separate schemes. One scheme is the 1978/79 scheme for the employment of full-time secretaries 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 This scheme has been superseded by a more extensive grant scheme now referred to as the Ancillary Services grant.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 standard rate of grant per pupil under the Ancillary Services scheme has been increased substantially in recent years — from €102 in 2002 to €145.50 from 1st January, 2007. The amount of grant paid to an individual school is determined by the enrolment in the school.

The Ancillary Services grant scheme is flexible in nature, giving Boards of Management discretion as to the manner in which secretarial services are provided. The grants paid are not directly linked to any objective pay scales. The level and extent of services provided is a matter for the school authorities who, through the discretion afforded by the scheme, apply diverse arrangements for secretarial services as resources permit. As the secretaries are employees of individual schools, my Department does not have any role in determining the pay and conditions under which they are engaged. These are matters to be agreed between the staff concerned and the school authorities. There are no proposals at present to change this position.