Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 5: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she has held recent discussions with the Protestant community regarding the withdrawal of the ancillary grant; the value of the grant withdrawn; the reason behind the withdrawal; the latest discussions which have taken place regarding this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3976/11]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Estimated savings to the Exchequer from the withdrawal, with effect from 1 January 2009, of the ancillary grant to fee-charging schools with a Protestant ethos were estimated at €2.8 million. The grant was withdrawn due to concerns about the constitutionality of making it available to fee-charging schools of one ethos and not to those of another.

However, I wish to assure the Deputy that I am committed to supporting education in schools under Protestant management, while at the same time ensuring that funding arrangements are in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.

In this regard, I had a useful meeting with Protestant educational representatives on 9 September last. At the conclusion of that meeting, we agreed to continue our discussions on funding issues pertaining to Protestant fee-charging schools. Since then, my officials have had further meetings with the educational representatives and will continue to do so.

I am committed to continuing this engagement with members of the Protestant community, as I believe that these issues are best resolved collaboratively.