Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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562. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the information or circulars that have been provided to schools in relation to voluntary contributions, and the advice that the schools should not request voluntary contributions this year given the cost-of-living difficulties; the additional supports that will be available on request from schools which will not request the voluntary contribution this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54610/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Section 64 of the Education (Admissions to schools) Act 2018, which was commenced in 2018 explicitly prohibits the charging of admission and enrolment fees for admission to or for continued enrolment in a school, with some exceptions such as boarding or fee charging schools.

Circular 65/2010 states that voluntary contributions may be sought from parents, provided it is made clear to parents that there is no compulsion to pay. 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.

All recognised Primary and Post-Primary schools in the Free Education scheme will benefit from additional capitation funding of €90m in 2022 which represents an increase of circa 40% of current standard and enhanced capitation rates.

The additional grant will be paid at the rate of €75 per pupil at Primary level and €113 at Post-Primary level. Enhanced rates will also be paid in respect of pupils with Special Educational needs. Arrangements are being made to issue this payment as soon as possible and schools can use this to cover additional energy costs and other increased day to day operating costs.

In the context of the current cost of living crisis and the additional funding being made available to schools, It is expected that schools will not have to seek additional voluntary contributions from parents.