Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 533: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her views on the fact that some schools are increasing registration fees in view of increasing lighting, heating, refurbishment, equipment and bin charges costs; her further views on whether this makes a mockery of free education in schools in this State; and the proposals she has to address these increasing fees being requested by schools. [31974/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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It is a fundamental principle of the Free Second Level Education Scheme that no charge be made in respect of: (a) instruction in any subject of my Department's Programme for Secondary Schools; (b) recreation or study facilities where all pupils are expected to avail of them as part of the school programme; or (c) 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.

Day to day funding for our schools has also increased significantly in recent years. In respect of second-level schools the standard capitation grant of €266 per pupil in 2003 now stands at €298 per pupil from 1 January last. In addition, the support services grant for secondary schools has been increased from €127 per pupil in 2003 to €159 per pupil from January last. This per capita grant is in addition to a range of equalisation grants of up to some €15,500 per school per annum that were also approved for voluntary secondary schools. Similarly at primary level, schools have benefited from substantial increases in funding since 2003. The standard capitation grant has increased from €111.58 per pupil in 2003 to €145.58 from 1 January, 2006 while the Ancillary Services grant has been increased from €127 in 2003 to €139 in 2006. 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.