Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister for his reply. Even though the pupil-teacher ratio was increased slightly, all Members accept that fee-paying schools do not face the challenges faced by so many schools in disadvantaged areas in particular. Is it true that such private schools take in €120 million in fees? Is that general figure correct? If particular changes are to be made, cognisance must be taken of the Protestant schools in which boarding is a necessity in many instances. The Minister has heard me speak on the challenges facing many minority faith schools at primary level and has discussed this with me privately. I also am concerned about the challenges facing boarding schools that are under the patronage of minority faiths.

See this speech in context