Sir, – Finance is not the central issue in the ongoing debate surrounding the patronage of schools. Demand from parents for some measure of reform is undeniable. To reduce this debate to fumbling in a greasy till is a diversionary tactic. While a “degree of flexibility and goodwill” (Dr Robert Perryman, June 27th) on the transfer of any schools chosen to be divested would be very welcome, I am sure the Department of Finance can come to some agreement with the Catholic Church, bearing in mind the outstanding money from the €128 million pledged in the 2002 Indemnity Deal and the €348 million pledged in 2009 in the wake of the Ryan report. – Yours, etc,