“Desperate” schools are now reliant on funds from the Deposit Return Scheme to pay for running costs, the Catholic Primary School Association has claimed. 

The DRS was introduced in February 2024 in order to boost the Republic’s low recycling rates. 

Although it has only been around for a short period of the time, General Secretary Seamus Mulconry said for a significant number of schools it is already an integral part of their financial planning. 

On The Pat Kenny Show, Mr Mulconry warned there would be consequences for the “massive increase in school costs” this year. 

“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.”

A child eating a school dinner. Image: NorthScape / Alamy Stock Photo

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

“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.” 

Primary school children and their teacher. Picture by: Alamy.com.

Mr Mulconry added that parents can expect to be asked for higher voluntary contributions this year. 

“Iif the school can’t get it from the State, it’s going to get it elsewhere,” he warned. 

“So, if you’re a parent, you can expect to see some increase in voluntary contributions - although I think schools will expect to do everything to minimise those.” 

Main image: A Deposit Return Scheme Reverse Vending Machine in a supermarket in Dublin. Picture by: Stephanie Rohan/Newstalk