Over €348,000 in unpaid fees and 1,558 reminders sent to families. The Municipality of Cagliari is stepping up debt collection efforts related to school meals, entrusting the forced collection to the Revenue Agency (Agenzia delle Entrate-Riscossione). This procedure aims to recover the outstanding amounts. A tough line. Also because, as explained by Palazzo Bacaredda, families in difficulty are exempt from the tax, and those who don't pay are often people with financial resources .
The total amount of the credit claimed by the administration is equal to 348,233.17 euros and concerns canteen service fees unpaid from 2020 to 2024.
Before resorting to forced collection, municipal offices served 1,558 payment notices via registered mail. For the unregistered debts, the administration then resorted to the collection mechanisms provided by law. However, the Municipality has achieved little. The collection efforts remain, at least for now, modest compared to the overall debt. In September 2026, gross collections of €1,467.37 were recorded. The effort will continue in the coming months, with the aim of recovering the outstanding amounts.
Behind the delinquency figures, there can be a wide variety of situations. In some cases, nonpayment may be linked to financial difficulties, job loss, job insecurity, or unexpected expenses that force you to prioritize more urgent needs .
Another factor may be administrative procedures. Failure to submit or update the ISEE, when this results in the application of a higher fee, can significantly impact the cost of the service. Difficulties in using digital payment platforms can also contribute to delays and irregularities. Then there's the risk of debt accumulation : one or more unpaid fees can, over time, turn into a debt that's more difficult to repay. However, Palazzo Bacaredda explains that Cagliari is one of the cities with the highest exemption bracket, and fees are frozen in 2019. Therefore, those in arrears are not people in need, but rather professionals and wealthy individuals.
Rates have been frozen since 2019. For the 2026/2027 school year, the Municipality has confirmed a differentiated system based on the economic situation of families. There is a total exemption for those with an ISEE of up to €10,000, and a maximum of €6.15 per meal for families with an ISEE of over €50,000. Payment is made in advance and covers each meal. The Municipality also provides a 20% reduction on lunch fees for families with at least two children enrolled in state or municipal public schools in Cagliari.
