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.
The manner in which voluntary contributions are sought and collected is a matter for school management, however their collection should be such as not to create a situation where either parents or pupils could reasonably infer that the contributions take on a compulsory character.
Apart from those recognised fee-charging second level schools, recognised primary and post primary schools are precluded from charging school fees. No charge may be made, in respect of instruction in any subject of the school curriculum or for recreation or other activities where all pupils are expected to take part.
However, it is permissible for a school to seek payments in respect of extra-curricular activities provided such activities are not obligatory and individual pupils can choose whether or not to participate. My Department's Circular 0065/2010 clarifies certain charges that may be legitimately requested from pupils.
The Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016 which completed Report Stage in Dáil Éireann on the 30th May 2018 and is currently progressing through the Seanad contains a provision prohibiting the charging of fees or seeking payment or contributions for an application to a school or for the continued enrolment of a pupil in a school.
Where a parent is concerned about the manner in which a school is requesting payment of contributions, it is open to that parent to write to the chairperson of the board of management requesting confirmation that the contribution in question is not mandatory and that non-payment of same will not impact on their child being excluded from any part of the school curriculum or from recreation or other activities where all pupils are expected to take part.
I believe that schools need to be accountable to parents and we need greater levels of communication, engagement and transparency in how schools serve their communities. Better information for parents, including information in relation to the collection and use of voluntary contributions, is an issue that I will be looking at in the context of my Department's work on a Parents' and Students' Charter.
