Government needs “wake-up call” over back-to-school costs says Graves

Sinn Féin TD Ann Graves has said that the government needs a “wake-up call” over the rising cost of sending children back to school.

This week, a report was published by Barnados, which found that back-to-school costs often reach up to €1,100 for secondary school and €725 for primary school students.

Graves says these costs are a prime example of why the government needs to focus on providing cost-of-living measures in the upcoming Budget.

Graves said the report must act as a “wake-up call for the government,” stating that they “remain oblivious to the huge stress and hardship facing workers and families across the state”

The Swords TD said, “families are already struggling to keep their heads above water as the cost-of-living crisis continues to spiral out of control; people simply cannot afford this annual financial blow.”

“This latest Barnardos report tells us that over half of parents of schoolchildren are worried about back-to-school costs.  Parents are particularly concerned about the costs of uniforms, voluntary contributions and for secondary school parents, the increasing cost of digital devices,” she noted.

The report noted that parents are being forced to use savings, take out loans, and cut back on other essentials to cover the costs.  

27% of secondary and 14% primary school parents said they had to use savings, while 15% and 8%, respectively, had to take out a loan or borrow from family and friends.

Graves pointed to a survey carried out by Sinn Féin earlier this year which asked the parents of secondary school students of the financial pressures they are under, noting instances where parents said they would not pay their gas and electricity bill in August in order to pay for education costs, or take out a loan and use instalments.

“It does not have to be this way.  At a time when the state has record surpluses of €23.7 billion, to have families being pushed to the brink to cover basic back-to-school costs is scandalous,” she said.

“This government has the resources to ensure that families are not left in situations like this.  However, they seem content on ignoring the stress and hardship so many are experiencing and pretending that the cost-of-living crisis is over.”

Graves stated, “Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael need to get their heads out of the sand and wake up to the realities that people are facing.  The cost-of-living crisis has not gone away.”

“The government must come to its senses and commit to a cost-of-living package in this year’s budget.”