Fee Paying Schools

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 October 2013

Tuesday, 8 October 2013

Questions (260, 262)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

260. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if, in the context of discussions he or the Department has had with the patrons of fee-paying schools, it has been established that measures likely to force such schools into the public sector are unlikely to achieve any savings either to the Exchequer or to the parents of children attending, notwithstanding the fact that such parents are generally in the high tax bracket; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42458/13]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

262. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he continues to have dialogue with the authorities of fee-paying schools in an effort to address their concerns and any issues arising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42460/13]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 260 and 262 together.

I recently met with the Joint Managerial Body and representatives of fee charging schools. The meeting afforded them an opportunity to articulate their views on a range of issues concerning their schools.

A number of fee charging schools have made contact with the Department and the level of engagement to date varies from school to school.

Where the authorities of a school approach the Department about entering the Free Education scheme it is because they are concerned about the future viability of the school and wish to explore all options in considering the future of the school.

I have made it clear that the Department will engage constructively with any fee charging school that is considering how best to secure its future. I expect that a minority of fee charging schools will wish to engage with the Department in planning for their future.

Any approach to the Department will be considered on an individual school by school basis, taking account of the significance of the provision concerned in terms of diversity and overall demand for school places in the locality served by a school.

In December 2011 I announced that an analysis of fee income in the 55 fee charging schools would be carried out. This was in order to inform future policy decisions about the nature and extent of exchequer funding provided to fee charging schools.

The report "Fee Charging Schools - Analysis of Fee Income" was published in January 2013, is an analysis of the funding position of the 55 schools which charge fees; it is not an audit. It shows the funds available to these schools through charging fees, which are not available to secondary schools in the Free Scheme. The Report shows that fee charging schools have a discretionary income of €81.3m that would not be available to similar sized schools (i.e. size as determined by enrolment) in the Free Scheme.

The Report is available on the Department's website at http://www.education.ie//en/Publications/Education-Reports/Fee-Paying-Schools-Analysis-of-Fee-Income.pdf

Question No. 261 answered with Question No. 100.

Question No. 262 answered with Question No. 260.

Question No. 263 answered with Question No. 250.