Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 276: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her views on whether free education is a right for all; and if so, the measures which have been implemented in making this a reality. [5915/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The State is obliged under Article 42.4 of the Constitution to provide for free primary education. Accordingly, there can be no levy on parents of children attending a school, nor can any child be refused admission because of the non-payment of a voluntary contribution by his or her parents.

It is a fundamental principle of the free second level education scheme that no charge be made in respect of instruction in any subject of my Department's programme for secondary schools, recreation or study facilities where all pupils are expected to avail themselves of them as part of the school programme or any other activity in which all pupils are required to take part. Accordingly, it would be a breach of my Department's policy for post-primary schools involved in the free second level education scheme to demand or levy a fee.

However, voluntary contributions by parents, or charges for optional extras over and above what is provided for in the general school programme, are permissible provided that it is made absolutely clear to parents that there is no question of compulsion to pay and that, in making a contribution, they are doing so of their own volition.

This Government is strongly committed to improving participation and achievement at every level of education. We have put the resources and supports in place to ensure that our children get the highest standard of education. With an increase of some 9%, day-to-day expenditure on education will exceed €7 billion for the first time in 2006.

The increased provision for 2006 will allow me at both primary and second level to cater, inter alia, for additional teaching resources for schools, increased per capita grants, new and refurbished accommodation and improved school transport services.

It will also allow for further enhancements in the numbers of support teachers and special needs assistants for children, special school transport, special classes in mainstream schools and special schools for children and adults with special educational needs. Provision has also been made for the implementation of the new action plan for tackling disadvantage. Measures in the plan range from pre-school interventions, supports for tackling children's literacy problems, reduced pupil-teacher ratios, increased capitation grants and measures to tackle early school leaving and to strengthen ties between the school, the family and the community. In addition, there are interventions in support of youth and in providing second-chance education for young people and adults. It will also involve the provision of some 300 additional posts across the education system.

This Government has shown a sustained determination to expand and improve education services over recent years and will continue to prioritise them for resources and supports in the years ahead.