Menu
04/08/2015
Minor Works Scheme Failure Raising Parents Back-To-School Costs - FF
The government's failure to commit to a Minor Works Scheme for schools is resulting in higher back-to-school costs for parents, Fianna Fáil has claimed.
According to the party's Education Spokesperson Charlie McConalogue, schools are being forced to increase the voluntary contributions asked of parents in order to just keep the school running.
Deputy McConalogue has called on the Minister for Education Jan O'Sullivan to confirm without further delay whether or not the Minor Works Grant will be available to schools in the autumn.
"The Minor Works Grant provides essential funding to schools to allow them to operate on a day to day basis. Schools have been denied this basic funding for two out of the last four years, and once again this year there is no budgetary provision for the scheme in the autumn," Deputy McConalogue said.
"The result is that schools planning for the next academic year are being forced to increase the voluntary contributions asked of parents in order to just keep their schools running. This means significant increases in back to school costs for parents.
"A new survey from Barnardos shows that many parents are struggling with soaring back-to-school costs. So called ‘voluntary contributions', added to the cost of books and uniforms, place an unreasonable burden on parents. Without the Minor Works Grant, schools are losing an average of €52 per pupil. There is no doubt that parents are picking up the tab for this.
"Last year the Government eventually found some money for the Minor Works Scheme well after the school year was underway. While this provided some welcome last minute relief for many schools, it was too late for parents who had already paid their voluntary contributions at that stage. Schools across the country are budgeting for the upcoming school year right now. They need to know without further delay if they will have access to the Minor Works Scheme or if they will be relying on voluntary contributions from parents."
(MH)
According to the party's Education Spokesperson Charlie McConalogue, schools are being forced to increase the voluntary contributions asked of parents in order to just keep the school running.
Deputy McConalogue has called on the Minister for Education Jan O'Sullivan to confirm without further delay whether or not the Minor Works Grant will be available to schools in the autumn.
"The Minor Works Grant provides essential funding to schools to allow them to operate on a day to day basis. Schools have been denied this basic funding for two out of the last four years, and once again this year there is no budgetary provision for the scheme in the autumn," Deputy McConalogue said.
"The result is that schools planning for the next academic year are being forced to increase the voluntary contributions asked of parents in order to just keep their schools running. This means significant increases in back to school costs for parents.
"A new survey from Barnardos shows that many parents are struggling with soaring back-to-school costs. So called ‘voluntary contributions', added to the cost of books and uniforms, place an unreasonable burden on parents. Without the Minor Works Grant, schools are losing an average of €52 per pupil. There is no doubt that parents are picking up the tab for this.
"Last year the Government eventually found some money for the Minor Works Scheme well after the school year was underway. While this provided some welcome last minute relief for many schools, it was too late for parents who had already paid their voluntary contributions at that stage. Schools across the country are budgeting for the upcoming school year right now. They need to know without further delay if they will have access to the Minor Works Scheme or if they will be relying on voluntary contributions from parents."
(MH)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
30 June 2008
Parents Want Schools State Managed
A recent survey has found three quarters of parents want primary schools to be managed by the State, pointing to the growing secularisation in Ireland. The Red C study, commissioned by the Irish Primary Principal's Network, found 72% of parents would prefer the state run schools, with equal status afforded to all religions.
Parents Want Schools State Managed
A recent survey has found three quarters of parents want primary schools to be managed by the State, pointing to the growing secularisation in Ireland. The Red C study, commissioned by the Irish Primary Principal's Network, found 72% of parents would prefer the state run schools, with equal status afforded to all religions.
06 May 2014
Call For Permanent Reinstatement Of Summer Works Scheme
Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn has been urged to permanently reinstate the Summer Works Scheme and Minor Works Grant for schools, following the publication of a list of schools that will benefit from the temporary reinstatement of the Summer Works Scheme this year.
Call For Permanent Reinstatement Of Summer Works Scheme
Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn has been urged to permanently reinstate the Summer Works Scheme and Minor Works Grant for schools, following the publication of a list of schools that will benefit from the temporary reinstatement of the Summer Works Scheme this year.
07 November 2013
Additional €70m For School Improvements
Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn TD, has announced the allocation of almost €70m for school improvements. More than €28m is being made available as a one-off payment to primary schools as part of the Government's Minor Works Grant scheme, while a further €40m will be allocated under the Summer Works Scene 2014.
Additional €70m For School Improvements
Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn TD, has announced the allocation of almost €70m for school improvements. More than €28m is being made available as a one-off payment to primary schools as part of the Government's Minor Works Grant scheme, while a further €40m will be allocated under the Summer Works Scene 2014.
27 June 2011
Up To 40 New Schools To Be Established In Six Years
Twenty new primary schools and twenty new post-primary schools are to be established in the next six years. Announcing the new schools, the Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn said: "My Department is forecasting an increase of over 45,050 primary pupils and 24,900 post-primary pupils by the start of the 2017/18 school year.
Up To 40 New Schools To Be Established In Six Years
Twenty new primary schools and twenty new post-primary schools are to be established in the next six years. Announcing the new schools, the Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn said: "My Department is forecasting an increase of over 45,050 primary pupils and 24,900 post-primary pupils by the start of the 2017/18 school year.
09 December 2013
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.
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.
-
Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
