Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----the school meals programme considerably in recent years, extending it to all DEIS schools and, for the first time, beyond them. The latter is because we know that 50% of children who are disadvantaged do not attend DEIS schools. We have also done other things such as subsidising childcare, bringing in a second year of preschool and ensuring that everyone gets the two full years of early childhood education. These are just a few examples of what the Government is doing to assist parents with the cost of rearing children and sending them to school.

On voluntary contributions, the Minister for Education and Skills issued a circular to all schools in April in order to ensure a greater emphasis on reducing costs for parents. The approach will be underpinned by law in the education (parent and student charter) Bill and will require that schools publish financial statements showing how all voluntary contributions are spent. Voluntary contributions are permissible provided it is made absolutely clear to parents that there is no question of any compulsion to pay, that in making a contribution they are doing so under their own volition and that they are not under pressure to do so. Apart from those recognised fee-charging second-level schools, recognised primary and post-primary schools are precluded from charging school fees. No charge may be made in respect of instruction in any subject of the school curriculum or for recreation, other than in respect of activities in which all students are expected to take part. It is, however, permissible for schools to seek payments in respect of extra-curricular activities such as those which are not obligatory and in which individual students can choose whether to participate. This is all outlined in Circular 0065/2010, which clarifies what charges can be requested from parents.

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