Vol. 420 No. 3
96 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education if he will outline his policy on the levying of voluntary contributions from parents in second level schools; whether he considers that a contribution of £100 per child is in breach of the Free Education Scheme; and if he takes any action against schools which seek to levy such contributions through final notices and bills marked overdue.
97 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education if he will outline his policy in relation to schools which levy a voluntary contribution of £60 to secure a place in first year of second level; and whether such contributions are in breach of the commitment in the introduction to the Green Paper to non-selective entry to second level schools for children in the catchment area.
100 Dr. Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Education if he will outline the influence or power he or his Department has regarding the admissions policy of second level schools receiving public funding; whether he can specify to a second level school that it should take pupils from a geographically defined catchment area before taking pupils from outside the said area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 96, 97 and 100 together.
In the case of secondary schools, I presume that the questions refer to schools in the Free Education Scheme. The basic condition for entry to that scheme is that payment would not be sought in respect of
1. Instruction in any subject listed in the general school programme,
2. Recreational or study facilities of which all the pupils are expected to avail themselves as part of the school programme,
3. Any other activity in which all pupils are required to take part.
Subject to these conditions, it would be in order for schools in the scheme to accept contributions of a voluntary nature, provided that it is made clear to parents that these contributions are entirely voluntary and are not a condition for the admission of pupils.
I wish to put on record that I am opposed to selection tests for the purpose of enrolment of children in post-primary schools. I am eqully opposed to the imposition of charges on a non-voluntary basis on parents in respect of the enrolment of their children.
I shall be happy to have my Department investigate any case in which the Deputy considers a school to be in breach of the conditions of participation in the Free Education Scheme.
