Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

Given the nature of fee-paying schools, I do not believe any one policy can apply to them. We must ensure, for example, to continue to protect the minority religions and that is reflected in the way fee-paying schools are funded. I hold the strong view that no new fee paying school will be supported by the State. In the event of a body offering to set up a voluntary secondary school, I would not support any change in the system.

From anecdotal accounts one would get the impression that there has been a major increase in the numbers attending fee-paying schools, but that is not the case. In the 2006-2007 school year, there were 26,373 pupils in private schools, whereas ten years ago there were 24,200. The largest increase in pupil numbers has been in Protestant schools.

It is important we continue to support fee-paying schools on the basis of their history and minority religions, but I will not support any new schools setting up.

See this speech in context