The children’s charity Barnardos has revealed the results of a survey which highlights the stress parents and guardians are under ahead of the new school year.
The survey found that 50% of primary and 66% of secondary school parents are worried about meeting back-to-school costs this summer.
It is estimated that it costs on average €972 to send a new first year to secondary school in Ireland.
Seventy-five percent of schools request voluntary contributions – and over two thirds of parents or guardians felt that these contributions were compulsory.
Adrian Curran, People Before Profit candidate for Galway City Central in next June’s local elections, said the findings “refuted the idea that Ireland has free education”.
“Whilst Ireland is touted as having free education for children, the reality is families are struggling,” he said.
“Every summer’s end we are made aware of parents and families struggling with back to school costs.
“Costs like uniforms, digital materials, and books in secondary schools are driving the costs of education into unaffordable territory.”
PBP’s City East candidate Denman Rooke said that when you see one in five primary school families having to dip into their savings to afford to send their children to school, “it is an indication that the system needs to be changed”.
“Free education should be truly free – everyone should have the same access and potential of education. Working class families should not struggle to ensure the best for their children.”
Maisie McMaster, the party’s Galway City West candidate, explained the remedies People Before Profit say need to be put in place.
“As Barnardos have publicised, there are clear, straightforward ways we can address this issue. Firstly, we need to extend the free school books scheme to secondary schools.
“Secondly, lower cost uniforms must be available. Emblems, crests, and the monopolies of uniform manufacturing must be done away with.
“Thirdly, the Back to School Footwear and Clothing Allowance must be increased, along with Child Benefit, both of which were cut by previous Fine Gael governments, in coalition with Labour.
“Lastly, we need to abolish the Voluntary Contributions, which in reality are not voluntary and contribute to stigma and money concerns for many families.”
