Liam Twomey (Fine Gael)

It is possible for schools to register themselves as charities to benefit from tax concessions. The Minister responsible should address two issues in this regard. A two-year gap exists between registration as a charity and fully benefiting from the effects of the tax concessions pertaining to charitable status. The Minister should consider shortening that period to three months in order that schools can benefit almost immediately from being a registered charity when funding activities within the school.

The Minister also should outline in his reply how schools can apply for charitable status, as well as any reasons he may not wish to shorten the aforementioned period from two years to three months. While this issue is completely separate to other forms of State funding of schools, concerns have been raised because summer works and devolved grants schemes, as well as other funding streams that were expected by a number of schools effectively have stopped. At present, all schools are being asked to apply through the emergency building fund if they require funding for refurbishment. However, the issue I raise simply pertains to schools registering themselves as charities in order that they can benefit from tax concessions.

I ask the Minister responsible to address this issue as a matter of urgency and to respond to me as soon as possible. This issue may require consideration by both the Ministers for Education and Science and Finance, as the latter is responsible for such legislation. However, I seek an early and clear reply from the Ministers involved to ensure the addressing of this issue as urgently as possible because I have received representations on this matter in recent months.