National Parents Councils and Parents Associations

The National Parents’ Councils is the umbrella organisations for affiliated parents associations. The Department of Education supports the National Parents Council through the provision of grant-aid. The department also liaises with the National Parents’ Council on issues of concern to parents of children in primary and post-primary schools.

• National Parents Council

In accordance with section 26 of the Education Act 1998, the parents of students of a recognised school may establish, and maintain from among their number, a parents’ association for that school and membership of that association shall be open to all parents of students of that school.

Fundraising

A parents’ association is entitled to raise funds for the administration and activities of the association. They shall consult with the board about any fund-raising for the school or school projects. The approval of the board is needed prior to these funds being raised. The expenditure of these funds is by the board of management in consultation with the parents’ association.

All monies raised or generated for an agreed project for the school should, as soon as is practicable, be lodged to the school account. Any funds raised must be used for the purpose(s) for which the money was collected. If in exceptional circumstances, it becomes unnecessary for the board to use all of the funds collected for the purpose specified, the board will communicate this to the parents’ association and where appropriate, the local community. In any event the funds must be used for the school.

The board in consultation with the parents’ association committee will decide the change of purpose for which the funds are used.

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