Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 388: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if schools which are not in the fee paying category are entitled to levy a non-refundable enrolment fee of €150; and if her Department requires schools to operate some hardship clause in respect of such a fee if it is put in place. [39305/06]

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 of which all pupils are expected to avail as part of the school programme;

(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 increased significantly in recent years. The standard capitation grant of €266 per pupil in 2003 now stands at €298 per pupil and the support services grant for secondary schools has been increased from €127 per pupil in 2003 to €159 per pupil in 2006.

I wish to draw the attention of the Deputy to my announcement of further significant increases in the context of the 2007 estimates. From 1 January next the standard per capita grant will be increased by a further €18 to €316 per pupil. In addition, for voluntary secondary schools the support services grant will be increased by a further €30, which includes a further equalisation measure, to €189 per pupil. This aggregate increase of €48 per pupil will bring the cumulative increase in the per capita and support services grants concerned since 2003 to €112 per pupil. These grants are in addition to the per capita funding of up to €40,000 per school that is also provided by my Department to secondary schools towards secretarial and caretaking services.

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.