Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 269: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary schools which do not have recourse to a school secretary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33016/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department provides funding towards the cost of secretarial and caretaking services in all recognised 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 This scheme has been superseded by a more extensive grant scheme referred to as the Ancillary Services grant.

The amount of funding under the Ancillary Services grant to an individual school is determined by the enrolment in the school. The current rate of grant is €151.50 per pupil with a minimum threshold of €9,090 for schools with less than 60 pupils. The scheme is flexible by nature, giving Boards of Management discretion as to the manner in which secretarial and caretaking services are provided. My Department is not aware of which way individual schools choose to utilise the grant in terms of a breakdown between the provision of secretarial and/or caretaking services.