Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 96: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total cost of State support, including current and capital expenditure, in 2011 to fee-paying schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36845/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As the Deputy may be aware, there are 55 fee-charging schools in the State. Fee-charging schools do not receive capitation grants or related supports. The only current funding provided to fee-charging schools by my Department in 2011 is the Assistive Technology grant for students with particular special educational needs. Almost €22,000 was paid to fee-charging schools in respect of this grant to date this year (as at 21 November 2011). The total amount of capital funding provided to fee-charging schools this year, up to 21 November, is €2.15m. It must be noted that this is just over 0.4% of the entire capital budget for education in 2011.

In addition to this funding, teachers employed within the approved annual staffing allocation granted by my Department in fee-charging schools are paid by the State; an arrangement that predates the introduction of free education arrangements and which has existed since the foundation of the State. The estimated cost of these posts in 2011 is in the order of €100m. I am already on record as saying that this is not a simple matter as these arrangements, which are historic and of long standing, impact upon a substantial number of schools which cater for religious minorities.