Foley: Forcing parents to pay contributions 'not appropriate and not right'

Voluntary contributions "are just that," Minister for Education Norma Foley said. File picture: Jim Coughlan

No parents or guardians can be compelled to make a voluntary contribution to their child's school, according to the Minister for Education. 

Norma Foley made her comments following research published this week by St Vincent de Paul. The report found almost nine in 10 parents are cutting back in order to pay the voluntary contribution in post-primary schools.