Mary Moran (Labour) | Oireachtas source

That is the point I am making, that schools can hold children to ransom. I saw it when I was filling in children's reports, as written across the top of them was "not paid" or "art money not paid" or something else; in other words they were blackmailed unless they paid the donation and did not get their locker. I have also seen letters seeking voluntary contributions coming from the chairperson of the parents council. Therefore, the parents council know who has paid and who has not paid. Can we not insist that schools complete that survey and see where all the money from the voluntary contribution is going? Can we not stop it? The same happened with retired teachers. I made a strong case on the issue. The recommendation from the Minister was that newly qualified teachers would be employed first but we cannot hold them to it. We need to be stronger and much more vocal and affirmative in cutting down on donations. As Deputy O'Brien said it leads to bullying.