In Ireland, parents have paid out more than €116 million in voluntary contributions to "free schools" in five years.
Despite our much vaunted free education system, 80% of parents have been asked to pay a contribution to their children's schools, which has amounted to more than €116 million in five years.
Considering many schools are operating at a deficit, questions are being asked about whether or not these voluntary payments are now keeping the lights on.
The Claire Byrne Show was joined by Labour's education spokesperson and TD, Eoghan Kenny, who highlighted that despite the budget including a €17 million increase in capitation grants paid to schools, it simply "doesn't scratch the surface" of what's needed.
He explained: "There has been an increase, which is more than welcome, but schools have been asking for this increase now for the last decade and it hasn't been forthcoming.
"It's not before time that the capitation grant is increased, but this doesn't scratch the surface.
"If you speak to any school management across the country, they are struggling in our schools. They are struggling to keep doors open. That's the reality.
"So while we can increase it this year and in this year's budget, it's something that has been asked for for over a decade.
The amount of schools that have informed me that they have had to go to the Financial Support Services unit within the Department of Education is quite extraordinary and that's only in my own constituency.
"It's evident right across the country. School managements are absolutely at their wits end and trying to fund their schools."
In the breakdown that the Department of Education has for those figures, they illustrate that in 2020 to 2021, €22.8 million was received in contributions, with the latest figures for 2023 to 2024 totalling €22.7 million.
One of the main concerns of the pressure being put on parents for these voluntary contributions is that the children of the parents who aren't able to make a contribution are at a disadvantage.
Mr Kenny added: " There's a stigma attached to it. And while teachers and school managements would absolutely support every single child, there is also that feeling within a child themselves, you know, my parent can't afford a voluntary contribution, but the person sitting next to me can.
"So when we talk about bridging the gap, we shouldn't bridge any gap. There should absolutely be no gap. The gap should be provided by the department in funding our schools appropriately.
"And we shouldn't have any voluntary contributions in the first place. There should be absolutely no voluntary contributions."
Karen Kiernan, the CEO of One Family, also joined the show to discuss the voluntary contributions issue, and agreed that there is a stigma attached to children whose parents can't contribute.
She also highlighted how parents have contacted them to discuss how some schools withhold access to some features due to lack of contributions, despite the Department of Education firmly saying not to do that.
She shared: "There's definitely still a stigma. So it's interesting you say that schools can't [put pressure on parents to pay] because some schools, unfortunately, still link the voluntary, so-called voluntary contribution, to access to a school diary or lockers or a tour or whatever it might be.
"Some parents have contacted us in One Family or indeed our colleagues in St Vincent de Paul or Barnardos. That's what we hear.
"So it's not the majority of the schools anymore, thank goodness. But there is still an issue for children who are not being able to fully participate in the social life at their schools."
Ms Kiernan also acknowledged how the books for primary and secondary school students are now paid for at both levels and the capitation increase is "very welcome", but they are waiting to see if that is going to go back to parents and families.
Main image: Sad schoolgirl looks at a book while sitting in class. A math problem in a child at school. Image: Roman Lacheev / Alamy Stock Photo
