Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

109. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) in County Longford can replace a caretaker or secretary who is retiring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22515/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The school referred to by the Deputy currently have the whole-time equivalent of 2 Clerical Officers and 2 Caretakers.

As the Deputy is aware, a recruitment moratorium was introduced in the Public Service in 2009. This applied to Secretary and Caretaker posts in Community and Comprehensive Schools. However, alleviation measures were put in place which permit schools to fill Clerical Officer and Caretaker vacancies provided they have less than 1 Clerical Officer or less than 1 Caretaker. In this regard my Department is not in a position to sanction the replacement of a Caretaker or Secretary that may retire in the school referred to by the Deputy.

My Department acknowledges the need to improve these alleviation measures, particularly for the larger schools. However, progress on this is dependent on the availability of additional budgetary funding and there are many competing priorities for available resources.

In the interim, if any additional secretarial or maintenance services are required they may be met from within the School Services Support Fund grant that is paid to the school. This grant will amount to €75,175 for the 2016/2017 school year for the school in question.

Schools are permitted discretion in the use of the Schools Services Support Fund in accordance with their own needs and priorities. However, the provision of secretarial and maintenance services is a particular focus of this fund which is a significant resource for schools in regard to employing additional administrative and maintenance staff.

The Schools Services Support Fund was increased by €2 to €113 per pupil in 2016 and by €3 to €116 per pupil in 2017 to enable schools implement pay increases for ancillary staff arising from the unwinding of FEMPI.