A DISPUTE OVER whether the State’s subsidies for private schools should be cut in the next Budget has split Government opinion.

Labour junior minister Alan Kelly has described the annual subvention – totalling about €96 million – as “a luxury rather than a necessity” and said it would need to be examined as part of the €2.25 billion of spending cuts required in the upcoming Budget.

However, Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar has today insisted that not every parent who sends their child to a fee-paying school is “super rich” and that many make huge sacrifices to do so. Varadkar added that closing down such schools would cost the State money, the Irish Times reports.

What do you think – should the State’s subsidies to fee-paying schools be cut?

Poll Results:

No (1461)

Yes (1285)

I don't know (719)

Yes
No
I don't know

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Poll: Should State subsidies to fee-paying schools be cut?

Poll Results:

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.