A special tax break has enabled over 160 schools to reclaim money on donations they received worth 250 euros.

Figures obtained from the Revenue Commissioners by RTE revealed 167 institutions took advantage of the school policy, which was introduced by current Minister for Education and Skills Ruairi Quinn when he held the position of Minister for Finance in the 1990s.

A total of 2.25 million euros was paid out by the state during 2010, with three schools receiving between 75,000 and 79,000 euros.

In total, eight reclaimed over 50,000 euros on donations made by pay-as-you-earn workers.

Schools qualify as charities under the initiative and the size of the payment they receive is directly linked to the value of the donations made.

RTE noted the scheme favours wealthier schools and the news comes after it emerged last month that half of funding allocated by the government under the remote area boarding grant is going to parents with pupils at one school - the Colaiste Ide boarding school in Co Kerry.

Written by Donal Walsh
 

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