Private schools got €95m in State subsidies in 2011

Fee-paying schools were granted €95m in State subsidies for the latest academic year, despite pressure on Education Minister Ruairi Quinn from his own party to end the support.

Figures released by the Department of Education show the majority of the subsidies are concentrated in South Dublin, with the suburb of Blackrock receiving subsidies for four private schools amounting to €7.8m.

Four private schools in Cork received subsidies amounting to €9.5m. The Cistercians College in Roscrea, alma mater of former taoiseach Brian Cowen, which also boasts three former foreign ministers among its alumni, received €900,000.