Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 226: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a secondary school (details supplied) in County Kildare is demanding that parents pay a registration fee in order to secure a school place for their children in the forthcoming year and is withholding items such as book lists until the fee has been paid; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that the same school is charging a fee for students who have elected to undertake a transition year and those without the capacity to pay this sum are not eligible to enrol in transition year; if such school policies are standard throughout schools funded by her Department; if, there are any instances where parents would be entitled to exemption from such fees; her views on the fact that such policies could be seen as infringing on the ability of children to access free secondary school education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25380/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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It is a fundamental principle of the free post-primary education scheme that no charge is made in respect of: instruction in any subject of my Department's programme for secondary schools; recreation or study facilities where all the pupils are expected to avail themselves of these as part of the school programme; and any other activities in which all pupils are required to take part.

Schools are allowed to charge a booking fee when considering new applicants for enrolment, provided this is refundable following a decision on enrolment. Booking fees are sometimes required by schools in order to avoid "double booking" of pupils in schools which could result in the loss of teaching posts.

Voluntary contributions by parents or charges for optional extras over and above what is provided for in the general school programme are permissible under the scheme, provided 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. I have asked my officials to contact the school authorities to clarify the nature of the transition year contribution.