School Costs

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 October 2016

Tuesday, 18 October 2016

Ceisteanna (223)

Jim Daly

Ceist:

223. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider issuing a circular to schools with an agreed wording to be used when writing to parents highlighting the opportunity they have to make a voluntary contribution to assist with the running costs of the school; if he will outlaw the current arrangement which has schools sending bills and late payment reminders to parents seeking money from them; if he will ensure the capitation grant is restored without delay to ensure schools are sufficiently funded by his Department to cover the cost of all necessary expenditure to run the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30240/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

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 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 this element of the Action Plan due to the many competing demands for the available funding.  However, this commitment remains a priority for me to address as soon as possible during the lifetime of the Action Plan. 

I also intend to introduce a stronger complaints procedure and a charter for parents.  It is important that schools should consult parents on matters relating to their children's education, including those matters which have cost implications, and schools should be responsive to the views and concerns of parents.  In that regard requiring schools to have a parent charter will ensure that schools will interact better with parent associations and with individual parents.

I plan to make an announcement shortly on draft legislation that will replace Section 28 of the Education Act, 1998 and require every school to publish and operate a Parent and Student Charter in accordance with national guidelines. These guidelines will be published after consultation with the education partners.

I believe that these actions will significantly strengthen the focus on reducing school costs for parents.