Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 477: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if the statistic published that there were 59 fee paying schools in the 2003-04 school year includes fee-paying Protestant schools that are part of the free education scheme for second level schools; if not, the number of such schools that are included in the statistic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8229/06]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 478: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of schools under the patronage of a Protestant religious ethos that are included in the free second-level education scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8231/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 477 and 478 together.

Of the 59 fee-charging second level schools referred to by the Deputy, one is Jewish, 21 Protestant, two inter-denominational and the balance Catholic. The Protestant and Jewish schools receive funding by way of a block grant, which has its origins in the desire of the State to enable students of the Protestant and Jewish persuasions to attend schools which reflect their denominational ethos. The block grant includes payments in respect of capitation and these schools also qualify for payment of such grants as the transition year support grant and secretarial and caretaking grants.

Fee-charging schools not embraced by the block grant do not qualify for payment of capitation or related supports. There are five post-primary schools under Protestant patronage in the free education scheme. All of these schools are within the community and comprehensive sector.