‘Voluntary’ school payments rise

THE majority of parents of primary school pupils are making ‘voluntary’ payments to their children’s schools, government research suggests.

The Economic and Social Research Institute surveyed 7,563 children and families when their children were aged nine months, three, five and nine.

According to the report, 59% of families of nine-year-olds paid a voluntary contribution to their child’s school, 7% were asked but did not pay and 34% were not asked for a contribution.

The study also found 12% of families paid €100 or more, 23% shelled out between €50 and €99 while a further 23% paid less than €50. Nearly a quarter of families in the highest income group paid a voluntary contribution of €100 or more compared to 5% of families in the lowest income group.

According to the Department of Education, schools are allowed to ask for voluntary contributions but there should be no compulsion to pay it.

The Barnardos Real Cost of School Survey earlier this year found that the number of parents who were asked to pay a voluntary contribution has increased from last year. Currently 67% of primary pupil parents and 71% of secondary pupil parents said they had been asked to make a donation towards school costs.

The issue of voluntary contributions came up again last month when the Budget was announced.

It raised annual State funding per pupil for primary and secondary by €8.50 and €14.50 respectively.

Parents and parents’ associations said the increase did not go far enough and that more should have been done so that parents are not forced to pay a voluntary contribution or facing pressure from schools to pay it.