I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 118 together.
Voluntary secondary schools are institutions that are privately owned and managed. Secondary schools that are recognised for purposes of the Education Acts 1878 to 1998 may qualify for grant aid.
Grant aid towards voluntary secondary schools that are participants in the free education scheme is structured on the basis of teacher salary payments and capitation grants towards the recurrent costs, with additional financial assistance towards services such as caretaking and secretarial. The day to day running of schools is a matter for school managerial authorities. The rates of these grants have been increased substantially in recent years, and a number of new grants such as the school services support grant have also been introduced. Schools have considerable discretion as to how this funding is best utilised in the interests of their pupils and schools. In the case of voluntary secondary fee-paying schools, that are not within the free education scheme, different funding mechanisms apply including the block grant mechanism that is in place to meet the particular needs of Protestant schools.
The contribution of religious congregations towards education provision has long been a feature of the Irish education system. The level and extent of the funding provided by the religious congregations is a matter for the congregations themselves. Traditionally, members of religious orders devoted some of their salaries to the general education costs of their schools while others worked in a voluntary capacity in school administration. As schools are not required to submit returns of voluntary contributions received by them, my Department has no basis on which to estimate the total amount of such contributions.