IPPN

Published: 16 May 2011

STATE funding of building and facilities for private fee-paying schools will be examined to create "a level playing field" with the majority of schools that do not charge fees to pupils.

Education Minister Ruairi Quinn confirmed the issue of capital funding for 55 private schools will be reviewed after it emerged they got €8 million for building projects over the past three years.

While students in many state schools are being educated in prefab buildings, some of the country’s most privileged educational establishments got up to €270,000 for improvements.

This is on top of the almost €100m a year in teachers’ wages funded by taxpayers to around 55 fee-paying schools.

Mr Quinn, whose Labour Party promised during the election campaign to look at this issue, said capital funding for private schools will have to be reviewed to create a "level playing field".