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08/07/2015
Call For Govt To Help Parents With Back-To-School Costs
The government is being urged to help parents after a survey revealed "unacceptably" high rates of back-to-school costs.
The results of the survey, carried out by the Irish League of Credit Unions, have been described as "shocking".
Sinn Féin Education Spokesperson Deputy Jonathan O'Brien the burden is getting too much for parents.
He said: "It is completely unacceptable that parents are getting in to debt to buy school uniforms and books and PE gear, let alone actually cutting back on paying essential bills and buying food.
"Despite the line that is repeated by government members, the Minister for Education does have statutory power to compel schools to adopt particular policies under the Education Act regarding school uniforms or any other issues.
"The Minister has the capacity to make real changes that would positively affect the families struggling to fund their children's basic primary education.
"Empty rhetoric is not good enough, and while some schools are to be commended in the efforts they've made to reduce costs for parents, it is not acceptable to simply depend on the goodwill of Boards of Management who have done nothing in the past to address this issue."
(CD/JP)
The results of the survey, carried out by the Irish League of Credit Unions, have been described as "shocking".
Sinn Féin Education Spokesperson Deputy Jonathan O'Brien the burden is getting too much for parents.
He said: "It is completely unacceptable that parents are getting in to debt to buy school uniforms and books and PE gear, let alone actually cutting back on paying essential bills and buying food.
"Despite the line that is repeated by government members, the Minister for Education does have statutory power to compel schools to adopt particular policies under the Education Act regarding school uniforms or any other issues.
"The Minister has the capacity to make real changes that would positively affect the families struggling to fund their children's basic primary education.
"Empty rhetoric is not good enough, and while some schools are to be commended in the efforts they've made to reduce costs for parents, it is not acceptable to simply depend on the goodwill of Boards of Management who have done nothing in the past to address this issue."
(CD/JP)
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New figures have revealed it costs parents €775 to send a first year pupil to secondary school. According to Bernados Schools Costs Survey 2016, parents face "huge pressures" when trying to find the money to cover their children's education, with two in five forgoing paying household bills or cutting back on expenses.
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Schools To Start Surveying Parents On School Uniforms
The Minister for Education & Skills, Ruairí Quinn T.D., is requesting schools to start balloting parents on school uniform policy. This move is aimed at giving parents a much greater say on what uniforms, if any, a school should have and in turn to tackle the high costs of some uniforms.
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Labour Propose Plan To Tackle Back To School Costs
Labour have launched their party proposal to tackle back to school costs, accusing the government of not doing enough to address the burden being faced by parents and guardians. Making the call Labour Party Education spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, said: "We know that parents are under pressure to ensure children are ready to head back to school.
Labour Propose Plan To Tackle Back To School Costs
Labour have launched their party proposal to tackle back to school costs, accusing the government of not doing enough to address the burden being faced by parents and guardians. Making the call Labour Party Education spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, said: "We know that parents are under pressure to ensure children are ready to head back to school.
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