Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 September 2014
1278. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department has conducted any research on payment of voluntary contributions by parents to schools during the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33519/14]
View answer1280. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will instruct her Department to collect and record information on the level of voluntary contributions collected by schools; the reason this information is not recorded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33521/14]
View answer1281. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department have conducted a feasibility study on preventing schools from charging voluntary contributions to schools. [33528/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1278, 1280 and 1281 together.
Apart from those recognised fee-charging second level schools, recognised primary and post primary schools are precluded from charging school fees. Voluntary contributions by parents are permissible 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.
It is not my Department's policy to prohibit the practice of schools seeking contributions from parents so long as it is made absolutely clear that the contributions concerned are voluntary. I have no plans to alter this position provided schools ensure that the contributions are sought in a manner that makes this clear to all concerned. It is also important that schools are cognisant of the financial pressures that many parents are currently experiencing and that such fundraising is carried out in a manner that is sensitive to these difficulties. Decisions in relation to such contributions are dealt with at local school level and my Department therefore does not hold data centrally in relation to the amounts involved.
The Deputy may also be aware that the Government gave approval in March of this year for drafting the Education (Admissions to Schools) Bill 2014 and the General Scheme has since been referred to the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to the Government for drafting.
The aim in bringing forward legislative proposals in relation to school admission is to improve the admissions process and to ensure that the way schools decide on applications is structured, fair and transparent. The legislative proposals will, inter alia, prohibit the charging of any fees or contributions as part of the school admission process.
