Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:818. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education the average total of voluntary contributions received annually by schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42151/22]
View answerThursday, 8 September 2022
Questions (818)
Written answers
The latest available data is for the school year 2020/21, when approximately €28 million was reported as received by primary and post primary schools in the form of voluntary contributions.
Voluntary contributions by parents of pupils enrolled in recognised schools are permissible provided it is made absolutely clear to parents that there is no requirement 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.
Section 64 of the Education (Admissions to schools) Act 2018, which was commenced in 2018 explicitly prohibits the charging of admission and enrolment fees for admission to or for continued enrolment in a school, with some exceptions such as boarding or fee charging schools.
My Department is also continuing to progress the Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill through the Houses of the Oireachtas. The Bill has been passed by the Seanad and in July 2021 passed second stage in the Dáil and is currently awaiting progression to Committee Stage.
The overall aim of the Bill is to improve the level of engagement between the school community by inviting feedback, comment and observation from students and parents and by further developing a listening culture in schools. One of the key concepts of the Bill is the need for a school to consult with the school community on individual school plans, policies and activities.
This approach will help ensure that the various views of staff, students and parents will be heard and responded to by schools on policies and issues including back to school costs.
The Bill also provides for schools to provide financial information to students and parents, including information regarding voluntary contributions and how they are spent.