Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 149: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost per pupil to families in County Donegal for education at second level in terms of school transport, fund-raising, exam costs, trips and transitions year. [25967/11]

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 150: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the average cost of school bus transport per pupil in County Donegal each year [25968/11]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 149 and 150 together.

Bus Éireann, which operates the School Transport Schemes on behalf of my Department, has advised that the information you request regarding the average cost of school bus transport per pupil is not readily available on a per county basis. However, research carried out in the context of the Value for Money Review of the School Transport Schemes shows that the annual unit cost per pupil for the provision of school transport was some €1,000, €950 and €7,000 for primary, post primary and children with special educational needs (excluding escorts) respectively.

The school transport charges in respect of the 2011/12 school year are as follows:Eligible and Concessionary Post Primary Pupils; €350 subject to a family maximum of €650 Eligible post primary pupils holding a valid medical card and pupils with special educational needs are exempt from paying the charge. With regard to exam costs, entry fees for the 2012 state examinations have not yet been determined. However, the fees for the 2011 examinations for second-level students were:

Leaving Certificate (Established, LCVP and LCA) €109Junior Certificate €103Repeat Leaving Certificate €284 An alleviation scheme is in place whereby medical card holders and their dependents are exempt from the payment of examination fees. This exemption applies to approximately 30% of examination candidates each year. Mock examinations are not part of the State examinations system and any decision to organise and/or charge for mock examinations is made at school level. Accordingly, my Department does not have a role in the matter nor information on the cost per pupil.

My Department also does not have data regarding the cost per pupil to families in Co Donegal for the other items referred to by the Deputy.

In general, 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 it is made 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. The manner in which such voluntary contributions are sought and collected is a matter for school management. However, their collection should not create a situation where parents or pupils could reasonably infer that the contributions take on a compulsory character. In addition, it should be noted that no pupil can be excluded from any activities that take place during school time, due to the fact that parents, for whatever reason, choose not to contribute to costs associated with that activity. When submitting returns of pupil enrolments, all schools in the Free Education Scheme are obliged to certify that these principles are being adhered to.

Regarding fundraising, it is a matter for school authorities to decide whether to engage in or support organised fundraising activities provided the methods employed do not affect parents or students in a way which would conflict with the principles in respect of voluntary contributions which I have already identified. It is important for schools to be sensitive to the financial pressures on families, and to use the State funds provided to optimum effect. In this regard, the Deputy should note that my Department is not in a position to make additional funds available to schools in the current economic climate.