As Minister for Education and Science, I would be very concerned at pressure being placed on schools and on school parents to become involved in the marketing and promotion of commercial products. Indeed, as the Deputy's question indicates, there are three circulars which my Department has issued on this subject to school authorities i.e. Circulars 23/84, 7/87 and 38/91.
Private companies, such as the one the Deputy mentions, are free to promote their business in accordance with accepted practices. While the supply of vouchers towards the provision of computers in schools is one such practice, school authorities are required to ensure, as per the circulars to which I referred, that pressure is not placed on parents to purchase particular commercial products. In this context, Circular 38/91 specifically requests school authorities, following consultation with staff, to formulate agreed school policies in relation to commercial promotions. Such policies can assist school authorities to act prudently in taking steps to ensure that commercial products are not promoted and marketed through their schools.
