Budget failed to make education “genuinely free,” says Gannon

Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon said this year’s Budget was only a “piecemeal” approach in tackling the cost of education in Ireland.

Gannon, who serves as the party spokesperson on education issues, said that despite claims by Government, education in Ireland is not truly free.

“Although the provision of free schoolbooks up to Junior Certificate level is welcome, it is baffling that the Government chose to take a piecemeal approach by excluding senior cycle students from the initiative,” the Dublin Central TD said.

“The expense of Leaving Cert books and materials will continue to hurt families who are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. Some of these books can cost as much as €40, with many students taking up to seven subjects for the exams,” he noted.

He said that In the Social Democrats’ alternative budget, free schoolbooks were fully costed and came to €294 million.

In the context of yesterday’s Budget, which was characterised as somewhat of a giveaway Budget by certain members of Government and the media, Gannon claimed it was a Government choice to not make education free for all students.

“It is also disappointing that the Government did not announce the creation of a new DEIS-Plus categorisation at pre-school, primary and secondary school level, as proposed by my party. This would have involved the allocation of €20 million in funding in 2024 for the most disadvantaged schools.

“While the increase in Special Needs Assistants announced yesterday is welcome, working conditions must be improved if we want to attract new entrants. This means increased rates of pay for SNAs, along with ringfenced funding for the continued professionalisation of the vital role they play in our schools.

“Education is the single greatest driver of opportunity, quality of life, social equality and economic growth. The most radical reform of our education system would be to genuinely make it what it claims to be – free,” he stated.