Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1441. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the position regarding school secretaries and the reduction of their salaries when they are paid by individual schools (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34770/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The 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, the level and extent of services provided is a matter for the school authorities who, through the discretion afforded under the scheme, apply diverse arrangements for secretarial services as resources permit. Secretaries employed by schools using grant funding are employees of the individual school and my Department therefore 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.

The Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No 2) Act 2009 determined the criteria for reducing the pay of public servants with effect from January 2010. All persons employed by a recognised school or VEC/ETB are "public servants" within the meaning of the Act, regardless of the source of the money used to fund their salary, the lack of ability of any Minister or Department to determine on their appointment or set their pay rates and irrespective of whether they are eligible for, or members of, a public service pension scheme. The fact that such staff come within the definition of "public servant" solely for the purposes of the Act does not alter their employment status in any other respect.

Accordingly, my Department outlined in Circular 0070/2010 that adjustments in salary should be applied with effect from 1 January 2011, to all relevant staff including school secretaries, in the employment of recognised schools or VECs, who were not already affected by the pay reductions introduced under the Act.

I understand that the case referred to by the Deputy is to be referred to the High Court, it would therefore be inappropriate for me to comment on the case at this time.