Over two thirds of parents who receive the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance say it is insufficient as the cost of living continues to soar.
Barnardos released their annual survey on back to school costs this morning. The national children’s charity recommended that schools cut voluntary contributions in efforts to lessen the financial burden faced by families.
“‘Barnardos is calling on the government to take further steps in providing free education by introducing free schoolbooks, ensuring all schools allow for affordable uniforms, ending voluntary contributions and maintaining the recent increase in the back to school clothing and footwear allowance,” Suzanne Connolly, CEO of Barnardos, said in a statement.
READ MORE: Are you worried about back to school costs this year? Have your say
70 per cent of parents surveyed said that back to school contributions did not feel like a voluntary payment. The average cost of voluntary payments at primary school level was €81 and €124 for secondary school pupils.
The survey, which recorded over 1,100 responses, revealed that almost a quarter of parents access the Back to School Allowance, which has increased this year by €100. Parents who are struggling financially but unable to access the payment suggest that the threshold for receiving the allowance be reduced.
“”The government need to realise that people need better supports to cover the cost of back to school. I work and I find it degrading that I have to borrow from people to get my child what he needs for school,” an anonymous secondary school parent stated as part of the survey’s findings.
Parents suggested that the introduction of free schoolbooks would lessen the financial burden placed on families in September. Others recommended schools invest in non-crested school uniforms to lower costs.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald previously accused the Back to School Allowance of cutting out middle class families and called for the payment to be made more widely accessible for all parents. The increase will see eligible families receive €260 for every child aged 4-11 and €285 for students aged 12 and over.
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