A National Principals’ Forum survey has revealed that 92% of primary schools do not have enough funding to pay for cleaning and caretaker staff. The ancillary grant, which is usually paid early in the school year, is meant to cover the costs of a secretary and caretaker. With many secretaries opting to be paid directly by the Department of Education, the ancillary grant had laid bare the remaining monies afforded to caretakers, with several schools reporting that they received no money whatsoever.
A special grant, which had been paid since the COVID-19 pandemic for cleaning staff has also been dropped, meaning that there is no money granted to primary schools for cleaning services.
Principals report that they have either had to let staff go, significantly reduce hours or ask parents to fundraise to keep staff. A principal in Co. Kildare stated:
It is a disgrace not to be able to pay the caretaker a proper wage. He is already on reduced hours with teachers taking up the slack and doing some caretaker duties.
Other principals reported that parents often have to take on duties that require specialist training such as plumbing and electrical work, as the money just isn’t there.
Finance has down become the number one concern for primary school principals with costs rising and the grants not matching. School insurance costs have at least doubled in the last ten years, and utilities have risen sharply too. A principal in Co. Dublin said that the pressure of finance is taking a toll on her health.
As well as finance, principals reported that the lack of support for children with additional needs, staffing shortages and workload are other factors causing stress and burnout.