School contributions putting parents to pin of their collars
Many families in Galway are unable to meet the often-crippling costs of ‘voluntary’ school contributions, a local TD has said.
Sinn Féin’s Mairead Farrell said the contributions are often more than €100 or €200 per child and are voluntary “in name only” and put families’ finances under unfair pressure.
Deputy Farrell said: “With the rising cost of living, parents are worrying about how they will meet the costs of the return to school this summer. One major cost that puts huge pressure on families is the school voluntary contribution.
“Year on year, families are being crippled by requests for contributions of very often well over €100 or €200 per child, and even as much as €300-400 in some cases. Every year I am contacted by many parents in Galway who are very anxious about covering these costs.
“These are huge sums for families to be expected to pull together – particularly at the same time as the rising costs of energy, fuel, groceries all put a serious strain on families’ finances.
“We know that in reality, these contributions are voluntary in name only. In some instances, students and families can be denied certain services and extra-curricular activities and they can face stigma,” she said.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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