Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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253. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if it is permissible for a public school to require a monetary payment deposit to maintain an application open for the school; if this has been communicated to schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67651/25]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, is an important piece of legislation which has introduced a more parent-friendly, equitable and consistent approach to how school admissions policy operates for the almost 4,000 primary and post-primary schools. The legislation is part of a suite of measures taken to take greater account of the needs of parents and students in the school system.

Section 64 of the act prohibits the charging of fees or seeking payment or contributions for an application for admission to or for continued enrolment in a school. Exceptions are included in relation to fee charging post-primary schools, the boarding element in boarding schools and admission to post leaving cert or further education courses run by post-primary schools.

If the Deputy is aware of a school(s) charging fees, that are prohibited by section 64, they can inform my Department, who will follow up with the school(s) concerned.