Many parents are facing "enormous pressure" to pay voluntary contributions, according to a recent survey.
Saint Vincent de Paul compiled research amongst approximately 1000 parents on voluntary contribution fees. These charges usually apply to non fee paying schools and typically go towards insurance and equipment costs.
School principals have acknowledged that voluntary charges have taken on a new format in recent years and often come into effect as mandatory fees on student booklists. SVP's research and policy manager Niamh Dalziel confirmed that some parents surveyed were forgoing other bills and necessities in order to pay the charges.
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Niamh told RTE's Morning Ireland: "There’s a real variety of things schools can use the charge for- school lockers, insurance, journals and other equipment. A few parents said they were denied these items because the charge went unpaid."
The policy manager added that most schools were aware of the financial pressures facing families, while acknowledging that schools themselves were struggling with rising costs. Saint Vincent de Paul is advocating for the Department of Education to review its funding following the report.
The research also found that Transition Year posed financial challenges to parents. The school year, which is often optional for students, can cost as much as €500 per student.
The government is set to grant an additional allowance for parents as school costs soar. The normal Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance will be topped up with an additional €100 cost of living payment this year, with payments scheduled to begin in July.
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