Fee-paying schools have €3k more per pupil for supports

The average fee-paying school has €3,200 more per pupil for extra teachers and other supports than free schools, analysis shows.

However, it could cost taxpayers at least €23.5m a year if all 55 of the schools joined the free education system, as they would regain salaries and grants not currently paid by the State.

As Education Minister Ruairi Quinn faces pressure from within Labour to reduce State funding to the sector, a detailed analysis of the sector reveals they charge fees ranging from €2,500 to €10,000 a year.