The High Court has ruled that a private school is entitled to pay teaching staff employed directly less than those who are paid by the Department of Education.

Ms Justice Elizabeth Dunne yesterday overturned an earlier Labour Court ruling that two members of staff from the Catholic University School in Dublin should be given terms and conditions comparable to teachers employed by the state.

According to the Irish Times, the "judge said the department determines the terms and conditions of teachers directly paid by it, while the school's board of management determines those of privately paid teachers".

It was noted that those employed by the state are entitled to career breaks, pension benefits and job sharing options, unlike teachers taken on privately.

Ireland's private schools receive around 100 million euros per annum in taxpayer support, it was revealed earlier this year.

Approximately 26,000 youngsters are educated in fee-paying institutions.

Written by Donal Walsh

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