School Funding

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 December 2013

Tuesday, 10 December 2013

Ceisteanna (189, 190)

Jonathan O'Brien

Ceist:

189. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the average payment of voluntary contributions by parents per student for each of the past three years. [52749/13]

Jonathan O'Brien

Ceist:

190. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the top 30 rates of voluntary contributions required by schools here; the names of these schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52750/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Ruairí Quinn)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 189 and 190 together.

Apart from the recognised fee-charging second level schools, recognised primary or post-primary schools are not permitted to charge school fees. Voluntary contributions by parents are however permissible provided it is made absolutely clear to parents that there is no question of compulsion to pay. The manner in which contributions are sought and collected is a matter for each 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. Given that such matters are dealt with at individual school level, the data requested by the Deputy is not available within my Department.