Grants for school uniforms €100 short, says Labour

PARENTS on low incomes will have to fork out an average of €100 for school uniforms - despite qualifying for the State’s back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance, it emerged yesterday.

This shortfall will be revealed in a comprehensive survey on the cost of returning to school to be published by the Labour Party on Monday.

The back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance paid to low-income families should cover the entire cost of uniforms, sportswear and footwear, Labour’s Education spokeswoman Jan O’Sullivan said.

“We are supposed to have a free education system - but it is not free if families on low incomes cannot afford to get their children the proper uniforms and books for going back to school.”

When the Labour Party launches its survey on school costs next Monday it will also be publishing proposals for tackling the cash crisis facing low-income parents.

“We believe the shortfall of €100 in money provided for low-income families to provide uniforms must be made up by the State immediately to help people cope with the huge costs of their children returning to school,” Deputy O'Sullivan said.

The National Parents Council (Post-Primary) supported this view. “The State will have to bridge the gap between the real cost of uniforms for low-income families and the supports they give them,” vice-president Marian Lyon said.

However, Ms Lyon said schools had to play their part and not put increased costs on parents by forcing them to buy exclusive uniforms when chain store alternatives would be just as good.

The average cost of school uniforms, sports wear and footwear for primary school students is €180, but low-income parents only get a supplement of €80.

The average cost school uniforms, sportswear and footwear for secondary school students is €250, but low-income families only get a supplement of €150 per child.

The Department of Social and Family Affairs which administers the scheme has not increased the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowances for students in the past year, despite similar calls made by the Labour Party and National Parents Council this time last year.

Even though there has been no increase in the rates paid, the department said yesterday there was a 10% increase in the budget for the scheme in 2004.

“The budget went up to €19.48 million and most of this went on increasing the income thresholds at which people could qualify for the scheme,” the department spokeswoman said.

Responding to Labour’s call for the €100 shortfall in the back to school clothing and footwear allowance to be provided for parents, the department spokeswoman said: “This is a matter which Minister Mary Coughlan will consider when compiling next year's Budget estimates.”

Meanwhile, the Labour Party will also be demanding an increase in the school books grant scheme and increased funding for the book rental scheme.

A Department of Education spokeswoman said they intended to seek an increase in the school book grants scheme in next year’s budget estimates and the book rental scheme now covered all disadvantaged area schools.

“And all primary schools who opt for the book rental scheme get an enhanced grant,” the department spokeswoman said.