The government’s failure to properly fund schools is forcing parents into a cycle of “voluntary” contributions that are anything but voluntary, according to Social Democrats higher education spokesperson Jen Cummins.
Deputy Cummins said:
“Families across Ireland are contributing approximately €54 million at primary level alone to cover basic school costs such as heating, electricity, and day-to-day materials – a clear sign that our so‑called free education system is broken.
“Parents are not fundraisers – they are taxpayers who deserve a free education system, not one built on endless appeals for voluntary donations to plug state funding gaps.
“Meanwhile, the recent modest increases in capitation grants fall far short of inflation and are nowhere near sufficient to restore school funding to 2007 levels.
“Families are being squeezed, not just by economic pressures, but by a policy framework that ignores their day-to-day lives – a system which shifts responsibility from the State onto parents is unacceptable.
“The Social Democrats proposal for fully-funded education at all levels is achievable – this includes adjusting capitation rates to inflation and levels of need to adequately fund schools, reducing pupil teacher ratio, making school uniforms generic and banning voluntary contributions to remove financial barriers for families.
“These are practical policies with measurable impact – they are the only way to ensure every child has the opportunity to learn without burden.
“The Government must end its stop‑gap approach and embrace a long-term strategy that guarantees no family is asked to carry the educational costs that the State should shoulder – hiding behind the term ‘voluntary’ won’t deliver the genuinely free education families deserve.
“If we invest in our schools today, we reduce social inequality, build a more educated workforce, and foster the love of learning in our children.”
1st July, 2025