Parents shocked after school sends out email asking for one toilet roll per student

A principle of a primary school in County Louth was on Live Line recently to discuss how much her school and other schools around the country are struggling financially.

Darver NS Principal Emily Scully said that the school had to reach out to parents via email recently to ask for a roll of toilet paper and a hand towel per student.

"Towards the end of November it got to the stage where funding was so tight we came into decisions of whether to pay the electricity bill or heating bill or whether to order toilet roll or hand tissues for the students," Emily told Patrick Kielty on Live Line.

Emily explained that this is not a new issue and primary schools around the country are also struggling financially, but said "I suppose now it's getting a bit more attention".

She said that the email reached out to parents to ask them to bring in a roll of toilet paper and a hand towel per student to see them over "this tight period".

The principle said that they received a great response from parents and local businesses giving donations to the school after the request for help was sent out.

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Emily said that she one of the most stressful parts of her job, in her five years of being principle, is trying to balance the books in terms of the costs schools are dealing with and that it doesn't add up to government funding that is given to schools.

She said that in terms of heating the school, they have the hater on a very strict timer to avoid high heating costs. 

"It's turned completely off during the Christmas holidays so the first few days back are always cold...the same on Halloween...".