Quinn calls for Church to begin orderly transfer of ownership of Catholic primary schools
Issued : Thursday 26 February, 2009
Statement by Ruairi Quinn TD
Minister for Education and Skills
Ruairi Quinn TD, Labour Party Education Spokesperson, has called for the state to be given ownership of all 3,200 primary schools in the state, as the Church has only paid €128 million towards the €1.1 billion cost of compensating sex abuse victims.
"The deal between the Church and State to cover the cost of sexual abuse claims was always meant to be a 50:50 split. In reality, the Church has only paid 11% of the huge costs because the number of claims has jumped dramatically.
"This year, the state's budget for these claims will be €160 million. That money could have been better spent on hiring an extra 2,667 teachers, so it's important that we get a return for taxpayers money."
"I think it is fair that the state takes the title deeds to all schools in the state in return for covering the Church's liabilities in these abuse claims. The Church can continue to act as patron in these schools on a day to day basis. I have no objection to that".
"The benefits of state ownership are obvious. We can ensure these properties remain schools in the future and we can launch a Sustainable School Programme which would ensure that the state can invest in our infrastructure. I think this measure is long overdue and can only be to the benefit of our education system and the taxpayer."
