The Department of Education received a flurry of queries and complaints from parents regarding schools charging enrolment or registration fees illegally following Irish Examiner coverage earlier this year. Since 2018, schools have been prohibited by the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 from charging fees or seeking contributions for the enrolment or continued enrolment of a student in a school. Another parent sought clarification from the department in relation to school fees. The Department of Education has previously said Section 64 of the Education (Admissions to schools) Act 2018 "explicitly prohibits" the charging of admission and enrolment fees for admission to or for continued enrolment in a school. “In instances where the department is made aware of schools charging fees that are prohibited by Section 64, the department will follow up with the school [or schools] concerned.

Source: Irish Examiner December 27, 2025 10:47 UTC