By Kim O'Leary
Fianna Fáil TD for South Kildare and Chair of the Education Committee, Fiona O’Loughlin has said that families of all types are under severe financial pressure in the run up to school at the end of the month.
Deputy O’Loughlin is urging any families that qualify for the Back to School Allowance to apply for financial assistance.
The South Kildare TD commented, “We saw at the beginning of the month the new report from Barnardos which showed yet again that the cost of sending a child to primary or secondary school has increased in 2018. With the average cost of sending a child back to 4th class now at €360, and €765 for a 1st year secondary student, going back to school is a stressful time for all families In particular, for those on fixed incomes such as social protection payments, the stress and strain these costs put on family life is becoming unbearable."
“Families being forced to cut back on day to day spending or, worse, taking out short term, high interest loans cannot be tolerated any longer. The stress and strain it places on parents is just so unfair. Although the Back to School Allowance from the Department goes nowhere near close to meeting the financial demands being placed on families it certainly is worthwhile applying for. The applications are available in my office or from the Department website and applications must be in by 20th September. Children continue to be the age group in Irish society most exposed to poverty and deprivation. One in nine (11.1%) are in consistent poverty while a quarter of all children of experience deprivation and are going without basic necessities," she said.
“Crippling school costs are further exacerbating the pressure families of all types are facing. Parents should never be forced to choose between skipping meals or paying for their child’s books and uniforms,” concluded Deputy O'Loughlin.
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