1% cut to day-to-day funding for schools goes ahead

Schools will continue to turn to parents for financial support as another 1% cut to day-to-day funding goes ahead — despite an economic upturn that was not expected when it was flagged three years ago.

The Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN) said the fourth successive cut to capitation payments based on pupil numbers would severely compromise a school’s ability to maintain facilities, provide a warm building, and pay its bills.

The latest tranche of four successive annual cuts to non-pay budgets means the amount paid to a typical primary school has fallen from €200 to €170 per pupil, although the total grant paid to growing schools may increase.