Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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87. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of private schools his Department are in negotiations with regarding entry into the free fees scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25500/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I assume the Deputy is referring to fee-charging schools at post-primary level. Twelve schools have made contact with the Department. The level of engagement to date varies from school to school. Where the authorities of a school approach the Department about entering the Free Education scheme, it is because they are concerned about the future viability of the school and wish to explore all options in considering the future of the school. I have made it clear that my Department will engage constructively with any fee-charging school that is considering how best to secure its future. Any approach to my Department will be considered on an individual school-by-school basis, taking account of the significance of the provision concerned in terms of diversity and overall demand for school places in the locality served by a school. On the basis of the analysis I published earlier this year on the income from fees available to fee-charging schools, I expect that a minority of the fee-charging schools will wish to engage with my Department in planning for their future.