Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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346. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the guidance or instruction that was issued to schools regarding the withholding of school supplies from children in cases in which school fees remain outstanding. [58851/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Education (Admission to Schools) Act, 2018, prohibits the charging of fees or seeking payment or contributions for an application for admission to a school or for the enrolment or continued enrolment of a student in a school.

Voluntary contributions 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, however, seek payment to cover the cost of photocopying 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.

Should a parent have a difficulty in paying for learning materials, they should contact the school in the first instance to request a breakdown of the fees as to whether they are mandatory or elective fees and whether there is any element of voluntary contribution included. They may also wish to discuss whether the school will consider a reduction for families with more than one child and whether there is any other method of payment e.g. instalments in place. No pupil should be disadvantaged in their learning due to the non-payment of fees.

The Department is also continuing to progress the Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill through the Houses of the Oireachtas. The Bill has been passed by the Seanad and last July passed second stage in the Dáil. The overall aim of the Bill is to improve the level of engagement between the school community by inviting feedback, comment and observation from students and parents and by further developing a listening culture in schools. One of the key concepts of the Bill is the need for a school to consult with students and their parents on individual school plans, policies and activities.

This approach will help ensure that the various views of students and parents will be heard and responded to by schools on policies and issues including school costs.