Back-to-school subsidies fall short

THE Government must increase supports for sending children back to school to save the hardship suffered by thousands of families, the Labour Party said yesterday.

The cost for each second level student is at least €1,270 a year and around €1,000 for a primary pupil, according to a survey published by the party’s education spokesperson Jan O’Sullivan.

She called for increases in the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance from €80 for primary school children and €150 for secondary school children to €140 and €220, respectively. Labour also seeks a once-off 385 grant for low-income families with children starting secondary school. Ms O’Sullivan slammed the Government for its failure to meet the full running costs of schools, leaving parents to feel even more financial pressure. “Parents are still required to make many voluntary contributions to schools each year to assist in the running costs. This is symptomatic of the under-funding from Government for school buildings.”