Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 425: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if there are some second level private schools (details supplied) collecting between €5 to €7 million per year in school fees; and if she will make a statement on this matter particularly on the lack of access for poorer and weaker students. [39981/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Fee charging schools are a traditional feature of the post-primary educational system, particularly in Dublin. As the schools concerned are institutions that are privately owned and managed, the level and extent of school fees is a matter for the schools concerned. A significant element of the fee-charging school sector has traditionally been made up of Protestant schools and those with a minority religious ethos. Fee-charging schools, with the exception of the special arrangements that apply in respect of the Protestant and Jewish fee paying schools, do not receive capitation or related supports. 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 persuasion to attend schools, which reflect their denominational ethos. The Block Grant includes payments in respect of capitation.

In relation to the application of fair and objective criteria for entry to second level schools including fee charging schools, a Memorandum of Understanding was agreed between my Department and the three post-primary managerial associations in 1993, that the selection of pupils for enrolment in second-level schools should not be based on academic ability. Schools were notified of this agreement by Circular letter M51/93, which issued in December of that year.