asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that the Holy Faith school, Glasnevin, Dublin is charging parents 10p per day as supervision charge for each pupil who does not go home at lunchtime; his view on whether such charges are in conformity with the guidelines for free education; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - School Charges
210.
I am not aware of such a charge. It is a fundamental principle of the free post-primary education scheme, that no charge be made in respect of:
(1) instruction in any subject listed in the general school programme,
(2) recreational or study facilities of which all the pupils are expected to avail themselves as part of the school programme,
(3) any other activity in which all pupils are required to take part.
Charges for optional extras over and above those provided in the general school programme would be permissible under the scheme provided it were made absolutely clear that participation was not compulsory.
In the light of the above, a charge in respect of lunchtime supervision would not be contrary to the terms of the free post-primary education scheme.
I should add that, as secondary schools are privately owned and managed institutions, the question of teachers' duties, over and above the minimum teaching requirement is a matter of contractual agreement between the teachers and their employers, i.e. the managers of the schools.