‘We’re being discriminated against’

Parents and staff at a 318-pupil school are angry that their fundraising to set up a rental scheme a decade ago and careful management of the funds count for nothing.

Since raising €14,500 to start their book scheme in 2004, parents at St Mary’s National School in Cobh, Co Cork, have been paying €20 per child each year, or €35 for families with two or more pupils enrolled.

However, principal Alice O’Connell said what is really annoying people is that they will have to continue funding any expansion themselves.