Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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163. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of schools seeking mandatory contributions or fees from parents in non-fee paying schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14033/16]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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180. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if schools can charge mandatory fees for expenses such as text service and school insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14184/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 163 and 180 together.

Apart from those recognised fee-charging second level schools, recognised primary and post-primary schools are precluded from charging school fees. This includes any mandatory charges or fees in respect of the school's expenses or running costs including costs in respect of the school's own insurance etc.

Voluntary contributions by parents 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 material 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.

The Education (Admission to Schools) Bill, which was published in April 2015, contained a provision prohibiting the charging of fees or seeking payment or contributions as part of the school admission process or for continued enrolment in the school. The Bill also provided for exceptions 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 in so far as those fees relate to the cost of providing such courses.

The Programme for Government contains a commitment to publish a new School Admissions and Excellence legislation, taking account of current draft proposals. It would be my intention to maintain those provisions relating to the prohibition on charging fees or seeking payments or contributions in the new School Admissions Bill.