Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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182. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a school principal can refuse to sign a children’s allowance claim form until the payment of the schools voluntary contribution has been made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45576/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Voluntary contributions by parents of pupils enrolled in 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 voluntary contributions are 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. In no circumstance should non-payment of a voluntary contribution impact on parents in the manner referred to by the Deputy.

Should the Deputy have relevant details of a school and parents involved my Department will follow up with the school concerned.