Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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647. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to set out her views on the issuing of written demands for cash payments to parents of school-going children by school authorities in return for providing the children with an education; the steps she will take to eradicate and outlaw this practice by ensuring her Department provides all necessary funding to school authorities to allow them to provide an education to each child without financial charges, as is their constitutional right; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34335/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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Apart from the recognised fee-charging second level schools, recognised schools are precluded from charging school fees.

Voluntary contributions by parents of pupils in such recognised schools are permissible 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. The manner in which such voluntary contributions are sought and collected is a matter for school management; however their collection should be such as not to create a situation where either parents or pupils could reasonably infer that the contributions take on a compulsory character.

A school may seek payment to cover the cost of photocopied or other such learning materials where the amount sought by the school is consistent with the costs involved and the level of materials provided. It is also permissible for a school to seek payments in respect of extra-curricular activities provided such activities are not obligatory and individual pupils can choose whether or not to participate. No charge may be made, however, in respect of instruction in any subject of the school curriculum or for recreation or other activities where all pupils are expected to take part.

As the Deputy is aware, the Education (Admission to Schools) Bill, which was published in April of this year, prohibits the charging of fees or seeking payment or contributions as part of the school admission process or for continued enrolment in the school. Exceptions are provided in the case of fees charged by schools known as fee charging schools, fees charged by boarding schools for the boarding element and fees charged by schools for post leaving certificate courses insofar as those fees relate to the cost of providing such courses.

I do recognise the need to improve capitation funding for schools having regard to the reductions that were necessary over recent years. In the last Budget, I was able to secure the first increase in education spending in recent years. I am determined to continue pressing the case for increased investment in education in the forthcoming budget.