The mother of a primary school pupil has said she is effectively paying 'by stealth for private school fees' because the voluntary contributions are so large. 

Speaking to Lunchtime Live, Elaine said she realises it is a “first world problem” but she is increasingly frustrated by the behaviour of her local school. 

Voluntary contributions are nothing new in the Irish education system but Elaine was shocked when she was asked to fund academic lessons. 

“From September, they’ve been getting an additional foreign language,” she said. 

“In general, the children love it… and look forward to it. None of that is the issue. 

“We’re two months in and out of nowhere, we suddenly heard… we’re expected to pay… for this ‘additional non-mandatory language’.”

Elaine said there are ‘many examples’ of this type of behaviour and it is “getting out of hand”. 

“I’m paying for the price, by stealth, of junior private school fees over the course of the year,” she said. 

“I’m paying at least a couple of grand a year on fees - easily if I added it up.” 

Constitutional guarantee

Elaine also has an issue with the “lack of consultation” from the school but fundamentally believes education should be free anyway. 

She notes free primary school education is guaranteed in the Constitution but feels her school is not living up to its obligations. 

“My argument is, we’re sending our children to a free primary faith school, we should not be paying for one single thing from 9am to 3pm within that day,” she said. 

“It is absolutely ludicrous.” 

From 2026, a modern foreign language will be compulsory in all primary schools from third class onwards. 

National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals Director Paul Crone has said schools are finding it “much more difficult to balance the books” and are using voluntary contributions to fill the gap.

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