Who we are.
The SEC supports Protestant families in exercising their right to attend Protestant-managed schools. Established in 1968, the SEC administers the Department of Education’s Protestant Block Grant, through which necessitous members of the Protestant community can receive state-provided financial support to pay part of the costs associated with their children’s attendance at a school that accords with their own religious ethos.
The SEC operates an annual grants programme through which applicants are comprehensively means tested and, subject to certain eligibility criteria, receive a grant amount that is paid directly to the schools to reduce the amount of fees they pay. The grant is offered in 20 Protestant-managed schools around Ireland and is available for both day and boarding pupils. Grants are processed through an online application process that runs from October to May each year, and the SEC provides telephone and email support to assist applicants.
The SEC is funded by the Department of Education, is a registered charity (RCN 20012021; CHY 6487) and is governed by a voluntary board of directors (Company No 349370).
Our Vision is of a society where all members of Protestant communities can exercise their right to access a second-level school that accords with their religious ethos.
Our Mission
To administer the Protestant Block Grant on behalf of the Department of Education
To enable necessitous Protestants to attend fee-charging second-level schools under Protestant management
To build a common policy for Protestant second-level schools in Ireland
To support Protestant second-level schools
To represent the interests of Protestant communities in second-level education in Ireland
Our Values
Equality: we treat all people we deal with equally
Rights-based: we believe in the right to education
Family-focused: we recognise that behind every grant application is a family and do our utmost to ensure that the dignity of each set of circumstances is maintained
Supportive: we endeavour to be supportive to those seeking our assistance
Compassionate: to the best of our ability we are compassionate and strive towards understanding the situation of those we work with
Discreet: we treat personal information discreetly and place the highest value on confidentiality and information privacy
Comprehensive & Rigorous: acknowledging our duty to our funders, we are comprehensive and rigorous in our assessment of applicants’ financial need
Independent & Impartial: we carry out our work in accordance with best practice and we will not be influenced by lobbyists or vested interests
Integrity & Prudence: recognising our stewardship of public funds, we behave with integrity and are prudent in our expenditure
Transparent & Open: as a charity we recognise our duty to the general public and we are transparent and open about our work and operations
Our Team
Dr. Ken Fennelly, Company Secretary
Vivienne Rountree, Operations and Support Manager
Claire Enright, Grants Manager