Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am pleased to have the opportunity to raise this important issue with the Minister for Education and Skills and I thank him for his attendance. The House will be aware that the Government has increased the pupil-teacher ratio in fee-charging schools to 21:1. It is 19:1 in other State-funded schools. Public debate on this issue has been shrouded in claims of elitism and privilege and a false perception, exemplified by the comments of the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Alan Kelly, that parents who make a choice and sacrifice to send their children to fee-charging schools can afford to pay more and more such that the State can pay less and less. Many fee-charging schools are being kept open by donations, trusts, legacies and by little cost to the taxpayer.

Protestant fee-charging secondary schools have a diverse and varied pupil make-up. They are located throughout the State. They comprise people from differing socio-economic backgrounds and different academic achievement. Many of these schools are struggling to stay open. Article 44.2 of the Constitution has been cited as a reason to change the status and fee-paying structure. This is a narrow interpretation and it fails to recognise the equality deficit in practice.

When planning his innovative free education scheme the late Donogh O'Malley acknowledged that because the Protestant minority of the population was so small and scattered the State would be unable to provide for their children in the same way as for their majority Catholic colleagues. Successive Governments have agreed to provide a special block of funding, currently to the tune of €6.5 million. There are 26 Protestant fee-charging schools and there is a need to recognise and preserve choice and diversity in education. There is a need to cherish the plurality of educational expression.

There are 26 such schools in 12 counties. Many people living in my constituency do not have a school in close proximity. Many of those who wish to avail of a Protestant or minority faith education must travel, while many must board. If the pupil-teacher ratio is to rise further, the cost of providing an education will rise, the range of subjects on offer will fall, schools will close and the result will be greater cost to the taxpayer.

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