Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 March 2017
62. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to remove voluntary contributions from all schools, which the majority of parents are obliged to pay; if consideration has been given to the survey carried out by a charity (details supplied) which found that €103 million a year in extra education funding would allow parents a truly free primary school service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10332/17]
View answerI am aware of the report referred to by the Deputy.
I strongly support any measures that can be put in place to reduce costs for parents.
All schools must be sensitive to the financial pressures on parents in making decisions, not just about school uniforms or books, but about any matter that has cost implications for parents.
The Action Plan for Education 2016-2019 outlines hundreds of actions to be implemented over the 3 year period 2016 to 2019. Some of the actions as part of the plan are to strengthen the focus on reducing school costs for parents by:
- Restoring capitation funding over a three-year period as resources permit
- Increasing the financial support for book rental schemes, in order to reduce or eliminate school book costs for parents
- Issuing a new circular to school authorities and ETBs regarding school uniform policy and other costs and the need to put a greater emphasis on reducing the cost of school uniforms and other costs.
Budget 2017 represents the start of a major programme of reinvestment in education, and the first phase of implementation of the Action Plan for Education, aimed at becoming the best education system in Europe within a decade.
It was not possible to provide additional funding in Budget 2017 in relation to capitation funding and book rental schemes due to the many competing demands for the available funding. However, these commitments remain a priority for me to address as soon as possible during the lifetime of the Action Plan. It is important to note that the total allocation to this Department for additional policy measures, after demographics and Industrial Relations commitments, was €130 million and of which all our commitments in higher and further education and primary and secondary schools had to be funded.
My Department’s position in relation to voluntary contributions is that they are permissible provided it is made absolutely clear to parents that there is no question of compulsion to pay. I have no plans to alter this position so long as schools ensure that the contributions are sought in a manner that makes this clear to all concerned.
The Education (Admission to Schools) Bill, which was published on 6 July 2016 and is shortly due to progress to Committee Stage, contains a provision prohibiting the charging of fees or seeking payment or contributions for an application for admission to a school or for the enrolment or continued enrolment of a student in a school.
My Department will issue a new Circular to schools authorities and ETBs regarding school uniform policy and other costs and the need to put a greater emphasis on reducing the cost of school uniforms and other costs. The views of the National Parent Councils and other education partners will be considered and will feed into the development of the Circular.
My Department has now received the views of the National Parent Councils and other education partners. My Department will shortly finalise and publish the measures to be adopted by schools to reduce the cost of school uniforms and other costs.
On 5 December 2016, I published the General Scheme of an Education (Parent and Student Charter) Bill 2016. The Government have approved the draft outline of a new law, which will require every school to consult with parents and students, and publish and operate a Parent and Student Charter.
The draft legislation defines the principles that will guide how schools will engage with students and parents, ensuring parents and students have a say in key decisions like school uniform costs, etc.
Following consultation with our education partners, including the National Parents Council (Primary), National Parents Council (Post Primary) and the Irish Second-level Students Union, I will finalise national guidelines on a Parent and Student Charter.
The draft Bill has now gone to the Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills for pre-legislative scrutiny.
I believe that these actions will significantly strengthen the focus on reducing school costs for parents.
