Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn Sam Boal/Photocall Ireland
Education

Voluntary secondary schools at funding disadvantage - ESRI

A comprehensive study by the think-tank shows that voluntary schools are far more reliant on contributions from parents than other schools.

A LACK OF TRANSPARENCY is contributing to different secondary schools receiving different levels of funding from the Government according to the ESRI.

A comprehensive study by the think-tank shows that voluntary schools, such as those under private management  in the trusteeship of religious communities and boards of governors, are far more reliant on contributions from parents than other schools.

87 per cent of voluntary secondary schools receive such contributions compared with 62 per cent  of community schools and 49 per cent of vocational schools.

The levels of contributions also tend to be higher in the voluntary secondary sector, with half asking for €150 or more per year, while the levels of contributions in the other sectors tend to fall between €50 – €75.

These sources are more likely to be particularly vulnerable in the current economic downturn and puts voluntary secondary schools at a disadvantage according to the ESRI.

Government funding

Irish schools receive Government funding in a number of different ways. Voluntary secondary schools per capita grants for their students from the Department of Education while vocational schools receive State funding in the form of a ‘block grant’ which is allocated to Educational Training Boards and then distributed.

Community schools negotiate a budget with the department on an annual basis.

The ESRI however say that greater clarity is needed in school funding and running costs so that accurate like-for-like comparisons can be made. They say that this would require changing the basis on which such information is reported and recorded.

“This research adds to the growing international debate on State funding of second-level education,” according to the ESRI’s Merike Darmody. “Specifically on how denominational schools are being funded. Drawing on experience from other countries, it shows the difficulty in balancing school autonomy and funding.”

Read: Protestant FG councillors say their schools are being discriminated against >

Read: Educate Together appointed patron of new schools in Dublin and Galway >

Your Voice
Readers Comments
10
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.