Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 127 together.

Recognised schools in the free education scheme have teaching resources and other funding allocated to them on a different basis from those schools that charge fees. Continued eligibility for such funding arrangements are contingent on a school not requiring mandatory fees or payments from existing pupils or from those seeking admission to the school. Therefore, it is inappropriate and contrary to my Department's requirements that a recognised school, other than a recognised fee-charging school, would require payment of a yearly registration fee as a condition of continued enrolment in that school. This is an issue that is addressed in the recently published draft legislation before the Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection which will regulate these matters in a manner that has not been the case. This framework also seeks to improve the admissions process and ensure the way schools decide on applications is structured, fair and transparent.

See this speech in context