Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 885: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the guidelines in place regarding the payment of a deposit to a school for a child's place and the refunding of said deposit when parents withdraw their child's name due to the fact that the school announces its plans to relocate; if there is a legal recourse in her opinion under the Education Act 1998; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10303/07]

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 886: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the circumstances whereby it is legal for a school, which is supposed to provide a free education, to charge a deposit to parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10304/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 885 and 886 together.

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; 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.