All schools equally affected by cutbacks, not just Protestant ones

Drew Nelson, grand secretary of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, in an address to Seanad Éireann (Irish Examiner, Jul 4) complains of the effects cutbacks to Protestant schools are having on Protestant communities in the south.

Mr Nelson made no reference to the education cutbacks which are hitting equally all schools, not just Protestant ones.

Having been treated as a privileged minority since the introduction of the free post-primary education scheme in 1967, it is most regrettable that the Orange Order spokesperson is implying that changes to the funding of Protestant fee-paying schools were not driven by financial considerations, but by an unjust and doctrinaire strike at the Protestant sector. Such claims are without foundation. Not surprisingly, Mr Nelson has not produced a shred of evidence to support his position on alleged discriminatory funding of Protestant schools.

Since the introduction of free post-primary education in 1967, minority faith schools in the Republic have been treated most generously by every government. All voluntary Protestant secondary schools were categorised as being in the free education scheme, thereby facilitating them to charge fees. Teachers were provided and grants given in the same manner as to Catholic schools in the scheme.

Therefore, I take exception to suggestions made by Mr Nelson that Protestant schools were being targeted more than others. I find it nauseating to be lectured to by Mr Nelson, spokesperson for the virulently anti-Catholic Orange Order, whose rules strictly forbid any member to even enter a Catholic Church. It is difficult to fathom how a person representing a secret society which is steeped in anti-Catholic bigotry and expresses such illiberal, antediluvian credentials could offer enlightened counsel to anyone, let alone members of the Oireachtas.

Why should taxpayers be expected to subsidise exclusive schools for any privileged minority, regardless of religious persuasion? For the Government to reinstate funding to privileged fee-paying schools in advance of means testing would be tantamount to feeding the hand that bites the taxpayer.

Tom Cooper

23 Delaford Lawn

Knocklyon

Dublin 16