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28/08/2019
Govt Urged To Tackle Back To School Costs
The Government is under pressure to relieve the cost of sending children back to school as the amount of families struggling to cover the expense rises.
The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul reported a 4% increase in requests this year from families unable to meet the costs.
Labour Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin responded to the "extremely worrying" figures by reiterating his party's demand for a free books scheme as part of an overall package to mitigate the issue.
He said: "We need to take heed of what SVP are calling for, they are there on the front line, dealing with families who are worried about the cost of going back to school. 200-300 calls to a national charity per day about back to school costs is a damning indictment of Fine Gael's idea of 'recovery'.
"Labour is on board with SVP's call for making school books free and ending voluntary contributions and have fully costed proposals as to how this can happen.
"Labour has introduced legislation to ban the practice of schools soliciting direct donations in any way that substitutes for, or is in effect, the imposition of fee for access to education. We are calling on the Government to ensure that this legislation passes through both Houses of the Oireachtas.
"In the upcoming Budget, the Government can end the practice of paying for school books. Labour proposes to introduce a Free Schoolbooks Scheme to be extended to all primary schools immediately, and to be extended to all secondary schools in two years' time. The Free Schoolbooks Scheme will be funded through general taxation. This will form a substantial part of our pre-budget submission and will be delivered if Labour are returned to government.
"Parents shouldn't be forced to pick up the tab for the failure of the Government to fund the actual costs of educating our children. Even in schools where parents have access to a book rental scheme, it still requires a payment of around €50 a year for an essential part of children's education.
"This is an extremely stressful time of year for parents who are struggling, it is time for the State to be a bit more cognizant of this and lift the burden on parents by dealing with so-called voluntary contributions and school books."
The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul reported a 4% increase in requests this year from families unable to meet the costs.
Labour Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin responded to the "extremely worrying" figures by reiterating his party's demand for a free books scheme as part of an overall package to mitigate the issue.
He said: "We need to take heed of what SVP are calling for, they are there on the front line, dealing with families who are worried about the cost of going back to school. 200-300 calls to a national charity per day about back to school costs is a damning indictment of Fine Gael's idea of 'recovery'.
"Labour is on board with SVP's call for making school books free and ending voluntary contributions and have fully costed proposals as to how this can happen.
"Labour has introduced legislation to ban the practice of schools soliciting direct donations in any way that substitutes for, or is in effect, the imposition of fee for access to education. We are calling on the Government to ensure that this legislation passes through both Houses of the Oireachtas.
"In the upcoming Budget, the Government can end the practice of paying for school books. Labour proposes to introduce a Free Schoolbooks Scheme to be extended to all primary schools immediately, and to be extended to all secondary schools in two years' time. The Free Schoolbooks Scheme will be funded through general taxation. This will form a substantial part of our pre-budget submission and will be delivered if Labour are returned to government.
"Parents shouldn't be forced to pick up the tab for the failure of the Government to fund the actual costs of educating our children. Even in schools where parents have access to a book rental scheme, it still requires a payment of around €50 a year for an essential part of children's education.
"This is an extremely stressful time of year for parents who are struggling, it is time for the State to be a bit more cognizant of this and lift the burden on parents by dealing with so-called voluntary contributions and school books."
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13 August 2019
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.
04 August 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.
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.
24 August 2015
Govt 'Oblivious' At Rising School Costs - Ní Riada
The Government is being accused of being "oblivious" at the rising costs of sending children back to school. Sinn Féin MEP Liadh Ní Riada said the costs shouldn't be treated as something topical to talk about every time August comes about.
Govt 'Oblivious' At Rising School Costs - Ní Riada
The Government is being accused of being "oblivious" at the rising costs of sending children back to school. Sinn Féin MEP Liadh Ní Riada said the costs shouldn't be treated as something topical to talk about every time August comes about.
08 July 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.
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.
13 July 2016
Sinn Féin Urges Govt To Commit To Increase Of Back To School Allowance
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has called on the government to commit to immediately increasing the Back to School Allowance. Mr Adams was speaking in the Dáil following the publication of a report on school costs by the Irish League of Credit Unions.
Sinn Féin Urges Govt To Commit To Increase Of Back To School Allowance
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has called on the government to commit to immediately increasing the Back to School Allowance. Mr Adams was speaking in the Dáil following the publication of a report on school costs by the Irish League of Credit Unions.
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