asked the Minister for Education whether the requirement that participating religious orders in community schools put up 5 per cent or some other fraction of the capital cost of community schools is still extant; if she will outline the number of community schools where this payment has been made; the number where it has not been made; in the latter instance the amount of money in aggregate which is outstanding; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Community Schools Trusteeship Contribution.
252.
The position remains that religious orders participating in the trusteeship of community schools are required to pay a contribution of not more than 5% towards the building, equipping and furnishing of each school.
Religious orders are involved in the trusteeship of 31 community schools. In the case of 19 schools, the religious contribution has been paid in full and in two other cases the contribution is currently being paid. In the case of the ten remaining schools, payment of the religious contribution has not commenced as the Deeds of Trust have yet to be signed. The religious contribution normally becomes payable in five equal annual instalments commencing one year after the date on which signing of the deed has been completed.
Since the amount of the local contribution is based on the final cost of the school — which is not yet available in some cases — and since the level of contribution negotiated in individual cases is regarded as confidential to the parties involved, I am not in a position to state the amount which is still outstanding.