Education Minister Ruairi Quinn has confirmed the government will set up a review to examine the support the state gives to private schools.

Following reports that revealed fee-charging establishments received significant amounts for building grants from the government last year, Mr Quinn said he would review the system.

This will ensure that scarce resources are prioritised to ensure they go to those schools that are most in need of extra funding, he stated.

"We'll have to look at scarcity of resources, the ability of schools to raise money and the scale of disadvantage," the Irish Times reported him as saying.

The newspaper also stated that, according to statements given by Mr Quinn to the Dail, €530 million in grants was allocated to private schools over the last five years.

This included cash for teachers' salaries, building projects and computer support.

Last week, the government confirmed that it will provide an extra €30 million to schools to fund new construction work as part of a drive to get more people out of unemployment.
 

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