Unions, school patronage bodies, and civil society organisations have issued an urgent appeal to Minister McEntee and government to address a growing funding crisis in schools. 

The letter warns that the increase in school running costs in recent years has created a perilous situation, with schools unable to balance their books and argues that underfunding of schools directly impacts children and families, particularly those in disadvantaged communities.  

The joint letter was signed by Fórsa’s head of education Andy Pike and John Boyle of the INTO, as well as leaders of a number of school patronage bodies and civil society organisations, including: the Catholic Primary Schools Management Association, the Church of Ireland Board of Education, Educate Together, Education and Training Boards Ireland, An Foras Pátrúnachta, the Muslim Primary Board of Education, the National Association of Boards of Management in Special Education, the Irish Primary Principals’ Network, the Children’s Rights Alliance and St. Vincent de Paul. 

The group welcomes recent positive steps, including the increase in the basic capitation rate and the introduction of free schoolbooks and meals. However, a comprehensive analysis of school accounts, commissioned by the CPSMA, reveals that the average primary school now faces a €17,000 deficit on capitation-related income and expenditure. 

The analysis also found that heating costs for schools have soared by 83% and water/refuse costs by 51% since 2018/19, while utility costs now account for 6.1% of school expenditure, up from 3.3% in 2019. 

Despite cost-of-living supports, most schools are struggling to balance their books, with many facing the prospect of impossible financial decisions in the coming year. 

The coalition is calling for an immediate increase in the basic capitation rate to at least €299 per pupil, substantial increases across all other grant categories, including minor works, ICT, and ancillary grants, as well as a detailed analysis of the actual running costs for schools facing additional challenges, such as those in temporary accommodation or with special classes. 

Speaking about the letter, Andy Pike said that the need to increase funding was obvious. He said: “Government needs to meet words with action. The Programme for Government contained positive commitments on school funding but now we need to see that translated into real measures.” 

“Too many families, already under pressure, are being asked to prop up the education system through voluntary contributions or fundraising, while other families have no choice but to ask schools for support. The Taoiseach has indicated that this budget will seek to address child poverty, increasing funding to schools is one measure that would contribute to that.”  

Read the letter here.

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