
These schools are not subject to Department of Education inspections
More than 5,000 children were enrolled in private primary schools last year.
There are now 40 independent primary schools in the country.
Unlike fee-charging secondary schools, the private primaries do not receive State funding and the schools are not subject to Department of Education inspections or rules.
These schools say their rising popularity is down to their greater freedom to provide smaller class sizes, and provide "wrap-around" care for busy parents.
Hedley Park Montessori School on Dublin's Merrion Square, for example, charges 11,340 euro for a full day of school and after-school.
Private primaries say they have the freedom to teach outside the curriculum and typically benefit from lower pupil-teacher ratios.
Tusla says the decision to either home-educate their children or to send them to be educated in places other than non-recognised schools, ultimately rests with the parents involved.