Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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315. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills whether or not his Department has undertaken any surveys asking parents and-or schools regarding the amount asked for annually in voluntary parental contributions; if his Department has any statistics on how reliant schools' budgets are, on parental contributions. [22799/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Apart from those recognised fee-charging second level schools, recognised primary and post primary schools are precluded from charging school fees. No charge may be made, 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.

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.

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.

If parents have a concern that there is some compulsion regarding contributions in a school, they can bring the matter to the attention of my Department who will follow up with the school in question.

My Department hasn't surveyed schools in relation to voluntary contributions. 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.

The Education (Admission to Schools) Bill, which was approved by Government on 5th July 2016 and subsequently published, contains 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.

I believe that schools need to be accountable to parents and we need greater levels of communication, engagement and transparency in how schools serve their communities. Better information for parents, including information in relation to the collection and use of voluntary contributions, is an issue that I will be looking at in the context of my Department's work on developing plans for a Parents' and Students' Charter.

My Department does not have any statistics on how reliant schools' budgets are on parental contributions, however Boards of Management should budget in such a way as to enable them to meet their commitments and their expenditure should not exceed their income.