logo
Parents face hike in 'voluntary' contributions if Government does not increase school funding

Parents face hike in 'voluntary' contributions if Government does not increase school funding

Irish Examiner7 days ago
Parents are facing a hike in 'voluntary' contributions this year as cash-pressed schools struggle to plug funding shortfalls.
The Catholic Primary School Management Association (CPSMA) has warned dramatic rising costs 'turbo-charged' by post-pandemic inflation has left many primary schools struggling financially.
'We have never been contacted by as many schools with financial problems as we were last year,' said Seamus Mulconry, CPSMA general secretary.
More primary schools would have found themselves in trouble if not for a cost-of-living payment, which worked out at about €36 per student, he added.
The Department of Education confirmed last week that from September the primary school capitation grant would increase from €200 to €224 per student.
The grant is for the day-to-day running costs of a school, including heating and electricity. Funding at post-primary level is also set to increase from €345 to €386 per student.
"Covid created a cost-of-living crisis across the economy but particularly in schools," Mr Mulconry said.
We welcome any increase to capitation, but we need another increase in the budget this year, and it needs to be significant just to keep up with rising costs.
'If you were just to account for inflation, you'd need to have €280 [per student] just to bring us back to 2007 levels of purchasing power,' he added.
Parents are estimated to pay about €54m to help subsidise free education through voluntary contributions and fundraising at primary level.
When asked if there would be increases in the voluntary contributions in response to funding shortfalls, Mr Mulconry said: 'I think there will have to be unless Government steps up to the mark and provides proper funding for schools.
'At the moment, we have lots of schools that are getting twice as much for the free school meals scheme as they are to run a school.
'That money is coming in and going straight out. We need realistic funding for schools. We need to at least match what our colleagues in second level are getting.'
Costs for things like buses, insurance, day-to-day resources, school trips, repairs and utilities have increased for schools across the board. In some cases, schools have seen their annual heating bills rise by up to 80%.
On top of this, schools also now have new costs to contend with, such as software systems like Aladdin, or alarm and security systems.
The Department of Education and the minister for education will always stress that voluntary contributions are 'voluntary', Mr Mulconry added.
And they are, but unless there is a steep increase in the capitation or the funding for schools, those voluntary contributions are going to have to go up.
'Schools are going to have no choice. Fundraising of any kind for schools is a horrendously ineffective waste of a principal and a board of management's time. They should be focusing on teaching and learning, not fundraising.
'In budgetary terms, it is loose change but it's vitally important to schools and we need to see a very significant increase in [the capitation grant] if schools are not going to have to go out to parents, looking for much larger sums then they have looked for before.'
Meanwhile, Aontas na Mac Léinn in Éirinn (Amlé) has hit out at the Government's "U-turn" on student fees, which will see third-level fees restored to €3,000, describing the decision to as a "cynical and calculated betrayal".
A coalition row is brewing after higher education minister James Lawless indicated fees would go back up, after being cut by €1,000 under cost-of-living measures for the past three years.
At a Fine Gael private meeting last week, Tánaiste Simon Harris indicated he would be strongly pushing for a cut to third-level fees in the budget.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Parents face hike in 'voluntary' contributions if Government does not increase school funding
Parents face hike in 'voluntary' contributions if Government does not increase school funding

Irish Examiner

time7 days ago

  • Irish Examiner

Parents face hike in 'voluntary' contributions if Government does not increase school funding

Parents are facing a hike in 'voluntary' contributions this year as cash-pressed schools struggle to plug funding shortfalls. The Catholic Primary School Management Association (CPSMA) has warned dramatic rising costs 'turbo-charged' by post-pandemic inflation has left many primary schools struggling financially. 'We have never been contacted by as many schools with financial problems as we were last year,' said Seamus Mulconry, CPSMA general secretary. More primary schools would have found themselves in trouble if not for a cost-of-living payment, which worked out at about €36 per student, he added. The Department of Education confirmed last week that from September the primary school capitation grant would increase from €200 to €224 per student. The grant is for the day-to-day running costs of a school, including heating and electricity. Funding at post-primary level is also set to increase from €345 to €386 per student. "Covid created a cost-of-living crisis across the economy but particularly in schools," Mr Mulconry said. We welcome any increase to capitation, but we need another increase in the budget this year, and it needs to be significant just to keep up with rising costs. 'If you were just to account for inflation, you'd need to have €280 [per student] just to bring us back to 2007 levels of purchasing power,' he added. Parents are estimated to pay about €54m to help subsidise free education through voluntary contributions and fundraising at primary level. When asked if there would be increases in the voluntary contributions in response to funding shortfalls, Mr Mulconry said: 'I think there will have to be unless Government steps up to the mark and provides proper funding for schools. 'At the moment, we have lots of schools that are getting twice as much for the free school meals scheme as they are to run a school. 'That money is coming in and going straight out. We need realistic funding for schools. We need to at least match what our colleagues in second level are getting.' Costs for things like buses, insurance, day-to-day resources, school trips, repairs and utilities have increased for schools across the board. In some cases, schools have seen their annual heating bills rise by up to 80%. On top of this, schools also now have new costs to contend with, such as software systems like Aladdin, or alarm and security systems. The Department of Education and the minister for education will always stress that voluntary contributions are 'voluntary', Mr Mulconry added. And they are, but unless there is a steep increase in the capitation or the funding for schools, those voluntary contributions are going to have to go up. 'Schools are going to have no choice. Fundraising of any kind for schools is a horrendously ineffective waste of a principal and a board of management's time. They should be focusing on teaching and learning, not fundraising. 'In budgetary terms, it is loose change but it's vitally important to schools and we need to see a very significant increase in [the capitation grant] if schools are not going to have to go out to parents, looking for much larger sums then they have looked for before.' Meanwhile, Aontas na Mac Léinn in Éirinn (Amlé) has hit out at the Government's "U-turn" on student fees, which will see third-level fees restored to €3,000, describing the decision to as a "cynical and calculated betrayal". A coalition row is brewing after higher education minister James Lawless indicated fees would go back up, after being cut by €1,000 under cost-of-living measures for the past three years. At a Fine Gael private meeting last week, Tánaiste Simon Harris indicated he would be strongly pushing for a cut to third-level fees in the budget.

Leitrim national school pupils forced to cross busy road and learn in converted toilets amid new school plea
Leitrim national school pupils forced to cross busy road and learn in converted toilets amid new school plea

Irish Independent

time19-06-2025

  • Irish Independent

Leitrim national school pupils forced to cross busy road and learn in converted toilets amid new school plea

For over a decade, the parents association, staff and the school community have been calling for a new school building on a single campus to replace the current Scoil Mhuire. The need for the new school on a green field site emerged as the girls and boys national school in Carrick on Shannon merged in 2013. However, the school remains on two campuses despite the school population doubling in that time. Since the amalgamation, the school has fallen into a state of disrepair and campaigners say not a single classroom is fit for purpose. Despite the poor conditions, no commitment has ever been given by the Department of Education for a new school building. Recently, John Campion Davey, assistant to Senator Nessa Cosgrove, visited the school and met with some members of the New School Committee. Mr Davey saw first hand the conditions within the school and said the facilities within each building are 'severely inadequate', with a technical report from the Department of Education issued several years ago calling the school building "sub-standard". Mr Davey said 'I had the privilege of being shown around the two campus Scoil Mhuire, Carrick-on-Shannon, by members of the staff and parent body. 'I had been asked to attend by Senator Nessa Cosgrove to see how she could help with their campaign for a new school building. 'The most glaring issue is immediately evident. "The school is spread across two different campuses, the former girls school and the former boys school. "I heard how Scoil Mhuire had been one of the earlier proponents of amalgamations, they embraced the change enthusiastically, yet they still exist across two campuses. 'Apart from the damage this does to a sense of a school identity, it is a hazard for children crossing roads to go from one school to the other. 'It also results in the ridiculous situation of many parents dropping off and collecting children from each campus every day for multiple years,' said Mr Davey. Mr Davey observed the school has 'gone out of its way' to cater for the increased number of students but building a new school is the 'logical thing to do'. 'The PE Hall is tiny, for the numbers of children attending, having been subdivided to provide additional learning spaces. "The school has gone out of its way to welcome increased numbers of children from many different cultures and backgrounds many of these have language needs. 'As in all schools, there are more children with additional needs, which must be met. 'I saw converted corridors, store rooms and even rooms which had formerly housed toilets and hand washing facilities converted into Special Education Needs classrooms. 'The two campuses dating from 1953 and 1963 must be a nightmare to heat in winter, and to keep cool in a hot summer. "The savings on energy costs alone, never mind the environmental impact, must make construction of a new school the logical thing to do. 'Despite the very real challenges faced by the school, the commitment which the school Principal, Staff and Parent body show to the children is phenomenal,' said Mr Davey. Earlier this year, it was confirmed that funding was granted to provide a two mainstream classroom extension for Scoil Mhuire. While the funding was welcomed, it does not provide a long term solution. "While the promise of two new modular classrooms over the summer is welcome, in terms of learning space, it does nothing to address the core issues highlighted, and in fact will further reduce the amount of outdoor space available for play,' said Mr Davey. "As an Early Years Educator, I am fully aware of the importance of having outdoor space for physical activity and play. "It is a fundamental part of a child's holistic development, particularly their physical, emotional and social development. 'The school community are not campaigning for a new school to have a shiny new building to work from. "They are doing it because they feel a real bond with the children and families they educate and care for. 'Inclusive practice is at the heart of everything that is done at Scoil Mhuire. "The passion of the teachers and the happiness of the children to be at school is written all over them,' said Mr Davey. Leitrim County Council has identified a suitable greenfield site close to the current school building and the school are happy with the proposed site. Mr Davey continued, 'All we need now is for the Government to commit to funding the new building. "Senator Cosgrove has committed to highlighting the need for a new school building, which has the support of all four local TDs, and will be hoping to raise the matter personally with the Minister for Education before the summer recess. 'Carrick-on-Shannon is the County Town of Leitrim, it is a fast growing town and it deserves a National School which reflects its developing and changing needs,' said Mr Davey. A spokesperson for the school said, 'On Tuesday, June 17th, John Davey, assistant to Senator Nessa Cosgrove, met with some members of the New School Committee. 2The meeting went well, and John assured us he would pass on all information to Senator Nessa Cosgrove. 'We call on all politicians and members of the wider community to put pressure wherever they can to help us secure a new school for Carrick-on-Shannon.'

Michael Moynihan: Can you pass a Leaving Cert exam about Cork?
Michael Moynihan: Can you pass a Leaving Cert exam about Cork?

Irish Examiner

time19-06-2025

  • Irish Examiner

Michael Moynihan: Can you pass a Leaving Cert exam about Cork?

I know it's traditional to wish those sitting the Leaving Cert exams all the best before those tests actually start, but how about now, when it hasn't quite finished? Looking at the timetable, I see a good few subjects have been done, and some of the remaining tests are pretty esoteric, but still: thoughts and best wishes to those still facing the LC. It won't be long now, believe me, when you'll be able to forget your test number rather than having it haunt you 40 years on. (085087246. Brr.) Count yourselves lucky you are not facing the exam next year, however, when there will be a new subject on the curriculum. Find below the first example of test papers in a whole new field I am proposing to the Department of Education: Cork studies. This is a deeper, richer examination of our heritage, one with a robust academic footing that takes cognisance of a history and context going back into the mists of (and so on in a similar vein for a while). It is also something of a response to a friend of mine who, while generally liberal on most matters, adopts a very strong Toryish line on one specific issue. People in Cork who are originally from other counties but who get their children to support their parents' counties rather than Cork, the place those children were born and raised and educated, a gross betrayal... (I once tried to point out this was dangerously close to Norman Tebbit's old cricket test: one of Margaret Thatcher's grimmer handmaidens, Tebbit asked if the children of immigrants to England supported their parents' countries in cricket games between those nations, but I didn't belabour the point. He gets a reddish light in his eye when he's talking about this). Anyway. Cork studies. We won't be jumping head first into the Leaving Cert, of course. Junior certificate examination first. If you're interested in getting a jump on the opposition, am happy to supply a sample JC test paper (ordinary level, but what harm). JUNIOR CERTIFICATE (ORDINARY LEVEL) 1. What is the first line of the second verse of The Banks? A. What is The Banks? B. 'Tis a beautiful land this dear isle of song. C. After all I really love you. 2. From Cork I go up to Dublin but I go - - Youghal. A. Across to. B. Over to. C. Down to. 3. Where is 98 Street? Off the Bandon Road and down to Noonan Road. Is 98 Street down the side of Lennox's? Down the side of Lennox's. Both of the above at the same time. 4. Everyone in Cork knows where the airport is. Where was it supposed to be located? A. Carrigtwohill. B. Nad. C. Castletownberehaven. 5. The most dangerous pedestrian crossing in Cork is: A. Where Victoria Avenue, Victoria Road, and Blackrock Road meet. B. Any crossing next to or near to the Elysian. C. Getting from Merchant's Quay to Bridge Street (any route). 6. Cork's natural enemies are: A. Kerry people. B. Dublin people. C. Ah, would you stop. Once you've taken this intermediate step you are then ready for the senior cycle (it should be noted here there will be no exemptions of any sort granted on any basis to any Leaving Cert student attending a Cork school). The questions below are from a sample paper which illustrates the multidisciplinary nature of Cork Studies. LEAVING CERTIFICATE (HIGHER LEVEL) MUSIC: In the song 'The Armoured Car' we are reminded that while glory is a fleeting sensation which vanishes in a heartbeat, a good dog is forever. Discuss this statement, developing your response with reference to the song of the same name. Bonus points for citing 'The Armoured Car's real name. ECONOMICS: The fragile cash-based economy of the North Monastery primary school was rocked by a devastating event in 1975, when a bottle of Cadet (red lemonade) and a bag of Tayto crisps moved beyond 5p. This made it necessary to possess two coins, not one, for this essential food combination. Track the effect of this price rise on the schoolboy economy with reference to the oil crisis occurring across the world at the time. ENGLISH: What is the greatest poem ever written about or in Cork? Use quotations in your answer, with special consideration to be given to references to The Rancher's Curse, A Nocturne for Blackpool, and Cúl an Tí. GEOGRAPHY: Where is the smallest hill in Ireland, easily accessible within Cork? Bonus points if the downstairs pub nearby, now long gone, can be named. ACCOUNTING: If a small shed on Patrick's Street is removed from its original location and abandoned in a yard until it starts to fall to pieces, how much should it cost to relocate and renovate that small shed years later in another part of Cork? Bonus points if a breakdown of the costs of filming said work can be provided. HISTORY: Examine the proposed location of the Event Centre, with reference to other facilities in Cork which might have been placed in more advantageous settings (Junior Cert students may recall pointed questions about the airport). Examine the proposed location of the Event Centre, with reference to other facilities in Cork which might have been placed in more advantageous settings. Picture: Larry Cummins Bonus points for any evidence of traffic congestion at the South Gate Bridge circa 1788, not at all likely to recur when the new centre is built. E NGINEERING: When the South City Luas is eventually installed, what tune should be played to soothe passengers, particularly when the Northside of the city comes into view? Bonus points for any combination of 'Southern Nights', 'South Of The Border', or 'Take Me To The River'. ART: The so-called 'Robot Trees' were supposedly introduced to Cork to help purify the air of the city, but are now recognised as one of the most audacious modern art installations of the 21st century. Cork's Robot Trees: Describe the levels of irony involved in this piece, how those pieces have forced more attention on the concept of a 'bench', and locate them in the pantheon of modern Irish art. Picture: Andy Gibson Describe the levels of irony involved in this piece, how those pieces have forced more attention on the concept of a 'bench', and locate them in the pantheon of modern Irish art. Bonus points for students explaining the persistence of bird poo on the remaining parts of the RTs. BIOLOGY: Account for the strength of the female bladder in Cork as evidenced by the lack of public toilets for same within the city centre. Bonus points for references citing personal experience without being too graphic. BUSINESS: If there are seven vape shops in Cork City for every citizen, then how are a) Corkonians ingesting more vaping products than the entire population of Los Angeles and b) how are all those shops turning a profit? Bonus points if accounts can be cross-indexed with those of phone repair outlets. The eagle-eyed may have noted the focus on examinations above rather than the syllabus itself. In an effort to reduce teaching burdens, this will be self-directed learning on the part of the students, absorbed through their lived experience in Cork. In other words, if they know, they don't need to be told. If they need to be told, they just don't know what it means to be from Cork.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store