The body representing most Catholic secondary schools has called on the Government to treat them as equals 
in the resourcing of second-level education.
The Joint Managerial Body (JMB) which represents the management of almost 400 voluntary secondary schools says that some schools are approaching financial tipping point because of severe cuts, according to a report in The Irish Catholic.
It says that Catholic secondary schools – often known as ‘voluntary secondary schools’ are receiving as much as €90 per pupil per annum less from the Department of Education compared to schools in other sectors of the education system.
The group says that school finances are deteriorating rapidly, with a further reduction of €31 per pupil per annum over the past two budgets.
Ferdia Kelly, general secretary of the JMB, pointed out that “historically, voluntary secondary schools have been disadvantaged in comparison with schools in the other two second-level sectors, ” referring to the community and vocational school sectors.
“The position after budget 2011 sees a voluntary secondary school of 400 pupils receiving €90 per pupil less on an annual basis than a similarly-sized community school and 212 less than a vocational school.”
Mr Kelly told The Irish Catholic: “Voluntary secondary schools are already forced to fund more than 30 per cent of annual expenditure through fundraising and parents contributions” and that “savage cutbacks” to frontline services have placed further pressure on parents to directly fund education for their children.
“These cuts are happening at the very time when they are not in the position to raise money or pay additional charges,” he said.
“We all acknowledge that the country is experiencing unprecedented difficulties but at the same time we have to ensure that the fabric of our education system is protected, so that the current cohort of pupils continues to receive a quality education.”