Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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344. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of caretakers employed in schools across Ireland under the TUS and broken down by county; the cost of this to the Exchequer per annum; if these schools are also receiving the ancillary grant from her Department for the employment of caretaking staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22974/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Funding to cater for ancillary services is made available by my Department under two separate schemes. One is the 1978/79 scheme under which school secretaries and caretakers are paid directly through the payroll operated by my Department. This scheme is being phased out as posts become vacant and no new posts are being created.

The second is the capitation grant scheme towards the funding of ancillary services in schools. Within the grant programme, the level and extent of secretarial and caretaking services provided is a matter for the school authorities who, through the discretion afforded by the scheme, apply their own arrangements for secretarial and caretaking services as resources permit.

The amount paid to an individual school is determined by the school’s enrolment.

Further information is available on my Departments website in Circular 0017/2021 Revision of Grant Rates in 2021 for Boards of Management of Recognised Primary Schools or by ETBs in Community National Schools using Ancillary Services Grant funding.

I am not in a position to advise on the number of caretakers employed in schools across Ireland and the cost of this to the Exchequer under the Tús, Community Work Placement Initiative, as that is a matter for my colleague, Minister Heather Humphreys T.D. who has responsibility for the Department of Social Protection.