'Desperate'- Irish teacher says govt funding is 'not enough' as parents expected to chip in

Catholic Primary School Association has claimed that many schools are struggling financial due to inflation and now rely on the deposit return scheme for funds and higher voluntary contributions from parents, according to The Pat Kenny show on NewsTalk.

Parents are to face a hike in voluntary contributions to schools to help for for expenses as financial costs have soared for primary schools across the country.

A primary school teacher from Meath, Peter Melrose, spoke to NewsTalk on this issue.

Peter told The Pat Kenny show that "it's well known at this stage that the funding we are getting from government is simply not enough."

He said that the funding schools are being paid per student needs to be raised significantly, from €224 per student to at least €300 to stand bill.

"Costs have increased by about 70% post covid... we should be looking at about €380."

General Secretary Seamus Mulconry said that schools have always been under funded.

"What has happened over the last three to four years is that there has been a massive increase in school costs....all of the basic costs for running a school has soared."

For a significant number of schools, the deposit return scheme is an integral part of their financial planning, Seamus told NewsTalk.

“You can also expect to have no plastic bottles in your house because that’s the kind of thing schools are doing to fundraise,” he said. 

“They are desperate to raise cash and we have a lot of schools now who are basically dependent on money from collecting plastic bottles to pay for school essentials.”

Mr Mulconry continued that the Department of Education “just don’t have the money” to pay for everything schools require to function. 

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“If you look at the overall capitation expense for schools, it’s about €120 million a year, roughly, for primary schools,” he explained. 

“The amount spent for school meals is about €300 million - or it will be when all schools are signed up. 

“In September, you will be getting €224 per pupil to run the school and to pay for that list of things that [are required]. 

“But you’re getting about €536 to feed the pupil; so, we’re taking good care of the pupils in that aspect. 

“But we’re not taking care of the running costs of the school.” 

Mr Mulconry added that parents can expect to be asked for higher voluntary contributions this year but he thinks schools will expect to do everything to minimise those.