Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank all the Senators for their contributions. I was asked to respond on behalf of the Minister, Deputy McHugh, who is dealing with business in the Dáil. I listened carefully to everything that has been said. I note the legitimacy of everything said. It is important that this be said first.

On the face of it, the Bill is consistent with what has been the long-standing policy on voluntary contributions by parents. The Government will not be opposing this Bill at this Stage and the Department will reflect further on what the Senators have had to say. The first part of the Bill seeks to legislate for the admission and continued enrolment of a student in a school. The Bill does not take into account the commencement of section 64 of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, which already explicitly prohibits the charging of admission and enrolment fees for admission to or for continued enrolment in a school, with some exceptions, such as boarding schools and fee-charging schools. That is all I have to contribute. We do not oppose the legislation.