Department of Education flooded with queries after schools seek illegal enrolment fees

One parent, who had not taken up an offer in a school, pointed out that it had sought a €150 from each of its prospective students. Picture: iStock

The Department of Education received a flurry of queries and complaints from parents regarding schools charging enrolment or registration fees illegally following Irish Examiner coverage earlier this year.

At the beginning of November, the Irish Examiner revealed how at least five Cork schools had sought fees from parents as they offered their child a place for next September — in breach of current legislation.

Since 2018, schools have been prohibited by the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 from charging fees or seeking contributions for the enrolment or continued enrolment of a student in a school.

Documents released under the Freedom of Information Act show the department received several inquiries from parents and guardians following this reporting in November.

One fifth year student in a Deis school wrote to the department at the beginning of November to highlight how their school had sought a €100 “re-enrolment fee” from each of its students.

The student told the department how the school’s principal had called an assembly with students to discuss the fee, where he listed numerous activities around the school, including extracurricular sports teams and fun, that would suffer if it was not paid.

The principal also “mentioned that the school toilets would have to be locked during break times as they would not be able to afford toilet paper without the fee”, the student wrote, adding that multiple alerts were also sent out on the school app to parents for “several weeks”.

“I am unsure what can be done about this breach, but I believe it's important to bring attention to this.” 

Parental anxiety

One parent, who had not taken up an offer in a school, pointed out that it had sought a €150 from each of its prospective students.

“By my estimate, based on the school accepting 120 boys for placement in September 2025  and each of those prospective students paying an “acceptance fee”, the school — contrary to their own admission policy — collected €18,000 in revenue," they wrote.

The parent added that €150 is not an “insignificant sum”, especially in the lead up to Christmas.

“Insisting that payment be made to secure placement plays unfairly on parental anxiety to ensure the best possible available placement for their child."

Another parent sought clarification from the department in relation to school fees.

I have two children applying to the school, and I am not in a financial position to pay €200 to be honest. I want to check where I stand before I challenge it

Another parent wrote to the department as they had been charged “mandatory fees” to secure their child’s school place. 

“They also call for fees on a yearly basis,” the parent added.

The Department of Education has previously said Section 64 of the Education (Admissions to schools) Act 2018 "explicitly prohibits" the charging of admission and enrolment fees for admission to or for continued enrolment in a school.

“In instances where the department is made aware of schools charging fees that are prohibited by Section 64, the department will follow up with the school [or schools] concerned.

“The manner in which voluntary contributions are sought and collected is a matter for school management," it added.