Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 April 2021
629. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if her attention been drawn to calls to remove the voluntary contribution from schools given the financial difficulties each year for families due to school costs (details supplied); the status of the commitment in this regard in the Programme for Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22355/21]
View answerVoluntary contributions by parents of pupils enrolled in recognised schools 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 such 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.
The Education (Admission to Schools) Act, 2018, prohibits 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 recognises the current additional financial burden on schools and has provided operational supports for Primary and Post Primary schools to fully and safely operate in a sustainable way while minimising risk associated with COVID-19.
I understand the need for improved capitation funding and I am pleased that budget 2020 provided a further 2.5% increase in standard capitation funding for primary schools that applied from the start of the 2020/21 school year. This builds on the 5% increase in capitation announced in budget 2019.
The combined increases given in 2019 and 2020 mean that circa 40% restoration will be achieved.
All schools have received the benefit of the capitation increases awarded to date. It is my intention to seek funding for further capitation increases in future budgets.
