Parents cutting back to pay 'voluntary' contributions to schools

One principal told the Society of St Vincent de Paul study: “We use the payment to cover the cost of running the school on a day-to-day basis.” File picture: Billy Higgins

Almost nine in 10 parents are cutting back or delaying spending in order to pay the voluntary contribution charge in post-primary schools, which can cost as much as €550 per child.

Furthermore, schools are increasingly using voluntary contributions to cover basic day-to-day running costs and on the likes of books, classroom materials and stationery, a new report has found.