Kildare politician calls on govt to reduce back to school costs

Kildare Sinn Féin councillor Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh has highlighted the urgent need for the government to reduce back-to-school costs, following the release of last month's Barnardos' report.

The report starkly illustrates the ongoing financial strain on families who are struggling to meet the exorbitant costs associated with uniforms, digital devices, books, and so-called ‘voluntary’ contributions.

“As a parent, a teacher and an elected representative in south Kildare, I see firsthand the immense pressure that back-to-school costs are placing on families. Many parents are already grappling with the rising cost of living, and these additional expenses for uniforms, books, voluntary contributions, and digital devices are simply unsustainable,” cllr Ní Raghallaigh said.

“The Barnardos report lays bare the extent of this burden, with 51% of primary and 70% of secondary school parents expressing concern about meeting back-to-school costs. It’s deeply troubling that over one in five secondary school parents, and one in ten primary school parents, have had to take out loans or borrow money just to cover these costs.” 

She said the pressure to pay 'voluntary' contributions “continues to mount, with 78% of primary and 80% of secondary parents being asked for these contributions, despite many feeling they have no choice but to comply.

“This issue stems from the government's chronic underfunding of our schools. The recent cut to the Book Grant for primary schools is a clear example of how out of touch Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are with the realities facing families. The reliance on 'voluntary' contributions is a direct result of this underfunding, and it is unacceptable.” 

Cllr Ní Raghallaigh said Sinn Féin has put forward a “comprehensive” 5-point plan to reduce back-to-school costs and make education more affordable for families. This plan includes enacting Sinn Féin’s Affordable Uniform Bill to reduce uniform costs and banning voluntary contributions and ensuring schools are properly funded.

"Sinn Féin’s plan offers practical solutions that would make a real difference to families in Kildare and across the country,” she said. “I am calling on the government to take immediate action to reduce these back-to-school costs and alleviate the financial strain on families.”