Parents fork out €42m on ‘voluntary contributions’ to primary schools to subsidise Government

Parents are forking out €42m a year in so-called voluntary contributions to primary schools to subsidise the Government.

The contribution that schools seek every year is one of the biggest causes of anger to parents surveyed on school costs by children’s charity Barnardos.

The charity estimates that €103m a year in extra education funding would allow parents a truly free primary school service.