THE NEW arrangements for Christian Brothers schools have caused some concern within the schools themselves, according to some teachers.
Under the arrangements, the assets of the Christian Brothers schools are being split. School properties will be transferred to the new lay trust by way of conveyance, but some lands will remain the property of the brothers and will be licensed for use by the school.
The licence, though free, will apply for as long as the school continues to function under the trusteeship of the Edmund Rice Schools Trust (ERST). Tony McCarthy, deputy principal of Christian Brothers College, Cork, says that over time, dual ownership could raise unforeseen difficulties.
“How would playing fields be treated in the event of a school relocating to a different site? In such circumstances would the school be allowed to sell the old playing field to finance the purchase of a new one?”
With the brothers in decline in Ireland but strong in Africa and India, Mr McCarthy says it is possible in 20 years’ time their lands in Ireland could be controlled by trustees with no connections here and who have pressing needs for funds elsewhere.
“What is to stop such trustees from revoking the licences and selling the playing fields to raise funds for Third World projects?”
Brother Edmund Garvey, communications director of the Christian Brothers, said lands immediately adjacent to schools were being transferred to the new body along with the buildings. Use of other lands would be given on licence.
However, these licences could not be revoked so long as the school remained in existence.