Ongoing financial pressures have forced many parents to seek alternative methods of raising funds for private education.

According to the Irish Independent, parents that do no want to disrupt their children's education at fee-paying schools are having to call upon grandparents, credit unions and other sources in order to cover the costs.

Meanwhile, many of the country's private schools have reported a drop in enrolments and have reduced their fees in order to attract pupils.

Figures from the Department of Education show that in September 2008, enrolments were at their highest ever level, accounting for 8.6 per cent of second-level students.

However, this has now fallen to 6.9 per cent and is expected to drop even further, with the number of pupils attending private schools standing at 26,156 in 2011/12, compared with 26,685 in 2008/09.

Fee-paying schools are expected to sustain further financial hardship next year, as Education Minister Ruairi Quinn is under pressure to end the state subsidy for the sector. 

Written by Donal Walsh

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