SVP: Working poor struggling to meet rising school costs

THE “working poor” in low-paid jobs are contacting organisations such as St Vincent de Paul in large numbers as they struggle to meet the back-to-school costs of educating their children.

Southern regional president of the St Vincent de Paul society Brendan Dempsey said parents just over the threshold to qualify for the back-to-school allowance were under immense pressure as September draws near.

“‘Back-to-school’ is just another thorn in people’s sides. The real problem is with the working poor, those in low-paid jobs who may be over the threshold that would allow them to qualify for the back-to-school allowance, or to qualify for a free doctor. You take a child who is not in a disadvantaged area — the books would cost €170 as opposed to €39 in the disadvantaged area,” he said.