Not enough is being done by the government to support parents in meeting the costs of sending their children to school, according to Donegal Councillor Marie Therese Gallagher.
The Sinn Féin Councillor has reacted to the recent St Vincent de Paul report on Back to School costs, which found a 20% increase in demand from parents for back-to-school help this summer.
Cllr Gallagher said: “Education is a fundamental human right and must be accessible to all irrespective of their economic or social background.”
Cllr Gallagher said the SVP report is ‘evidence that the government is failing families that are struggling to ensure their children receive a high quality education.’
She said: “SVP, Barnardos, and the Irish League of Credit Unions have all released reports this summer that lead to similar conclusions.
“I myself have spoken to parents locally and throughout Donegal each of whom share a similar story while stating that the cost associated with sending their children to school is hugely burdensome on a family’s finances.
“And while costs are spiraling, the fact that existing supports such as the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance are not being paid on time, as has been the case in so many households this year, is only causing further suffering to parents as school terms resume.
“Sinn Féin has consistently shown how government could improve and bolster existing state supports, while we’ve also sought rates for school capitation to be enhanced.
“Similarly, we’ve shown how contribution levies could be eliminated, yet government has continued to ignore these proposals, meanwhile children and families continue to bare the burden of the excessive cost of education.”
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