Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 16 Oct 1991

Vol. 411 No. 1

Written Answers. - Fee-Paying Schools Funding.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

668 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education if State financial assistance, other than the payment of teachers' salaries, is being provided to fee paying second level schools; and if she will outline the total amount of such assistance paid to each school.

Minister for Education (Mrs. O'Rourke)

Catholic fee-paying schools are not eligible for any grants from the Department other than teachers' salaries.

A block grant is paid to the secondary education committee each year in respect of Protestant Secondary Schools which equates,pro-rata, with the total per capita grant payable in respect of schools under Catholic management. This grant amounted to £2,409,000 in the 1990-91 school year and is administered directly by the Protestant Secondary Education Committee in order to provide financial support for Protestant children who require it. Also, 14 fee-charging Protestant schools applied for grants under the secondary schools book scheme for needy pupils in those schools. They were paid a total of £15,506 during the 1990-91 school year. It would be inappropriate to give details of the individual amounts paid to each school.