DIY infrastructure - It’s time to reappraise priorities

Personal relationships, at least the honest ones, are partially built on expectations, and if those expectations are not realised then only the very strongest partnerships can blossom, reach their potential, or even survive.

The partnership between citizen and government is not much different and although too many of us have come to imagine the most spectacular expectations as rights — and agitate vehemently if they are not met — our government seems increasingly happy to pass some responsibilities back to communities and citizens.

For decades, we have played along with the charade we still call “free” education, even though every parent is expected to make ever more significant “voluntary contributions” to their children’s schools. Though these may not be mandatory in the precise meaning of the word, it is hard to describe them as anything else. Any parent who, for whatever reason, is unable to make a “contribution” will feel they are letting their children down. This subtlety may make our system a more effective fundraiser than charging school fees. Third-level students, once they leave our “free education” system, face registration fees that represent a significant burden on families with more than one child at college, especially if they have to fund accommodation as well.