MINISTER FOR Education Ruairí Quinn has asked his officials to investigate how fee-paying schools spend the €120 million they receive from parents. The investigation – due to begin soon – will also examine State investment in these schools, including funding for teachers.
An Irish Timessurvey published today reveals how the 56 fee-paying schools get more than €120 million in fee income annually, in addition to the €100 million they receive from the State for teacher salaries.
The survey shows how the fee income at several schools exceeds €5 million a year. These include Clongowes Wood College, Co Kildare, and Blackrock College, Willow Park School and St Andrew’s College in south Dublin.
Despite the recession, demand for places in fee-paying schools remains robust. More than 26,000 students attend such schools, according to the latest figures.
Mr Quinn said the investigation would examine fee income based on fee rates and pupil numbers.
As private schools do not receive capitation and other supports, it will also take account of State investment foregone (in teacher allocations and recurrent grants) because the school is charging fees.
“In this way the additional or discretionary income available to fee-charging schools relative to other schools can be assessed,” said the Minister.
Concerns have been raised by some Labour members and by the Teachers Union of Ireland that some of the bigger private schools have significant financial resources even though they continue to be supported by the State.
Education sources say the investigation is designed to identify private schools in financial difficulty and help ensure their survival. In recent years some Protestant boarding schools have said they are struggling to survive.
As part of the inquiry, the Department of Education will enter into a consultative process with schools to identify if there are certain factors, such as mortgages, entered into for capital developments or other liabilities, which may limit their freedom to use any discretionary income.
Last month Mr Quinn told the Dáil the Government was fully conscious that “maintaining a network of schools is important if students from minority denominations are to be enabled attend a school that reflects their denominational ethos”.
Gerry Foley, principal of Belvedere College in Dublin, said he was concerned there may be too much focus on private schools, which represent less than 6 per cent of the school-going population.
But he did not object to the review. “There has to be clarity as to how fee income is used to supplement a school’s resources.”
Simon Thompson, principal of Midleton College in Co Cork, said rural Protestant schools faced significant financial challenges.
