Vol. 568 No. 1
133 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the concerns expressed by the Catholic Secondary Parents Association regarding the prac tice of some secondary schools charging a registration fee of up to ?100; his views on this practice; if he intends to take steps to halt the practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15735/03]
It is a fundamental principle of the free post-primary education scheme that no charge be made in respect of instruction in any subject of the Department's programme for secondary schools; recreation or study facilities where all the pupils are expected to avail themselves of them as part of the school programme; any other activity in which all pupils are required to take part.
Voluntary contributions by parents or charges for optional extras over and above what is provided for in the general school programme are permissible under the scheme provided it is made absolutely clear to parents that there is no question of compulsion to pay and that, in making a contribution, they are doing so of their own volition.
Schools are allowed to charge a booking fee provided it is refundable following enrolment in the school. Booking fees are sometimes required by schools in order to avoid double booking of pupils in schools, which could result in the loss of teachers.
