Sinn Féin spokesperson on Education, Sorca Clarke, has said today’s Barnardos report on back-to-school costs is a stark illustration of the need for government to act urgently and cut education costs for families.

The report shows families are continuing to struggle to pay sky-high costs across uniforms, digital devices, books and ‘voluntary’ contributions.

Yesterday, Sinn Féin published a 5 point plan to cut costs for families.

Speaking today, Teachta Clarke said:

“Back-to-school costs are far too high and many families are under real financial pressure trying to cover the price of uniforms, books, voluntary contributions and digital devices. Families are already struggling with the cost-of-living and they need a break from these spiralling costs.

“This report by Barnardos sets out starkly the severe pressure families are under. The Barnardos report showed 51% of primary and 70% of secondary school parents are worried about meeting back-to-school costs this year. More than one in five (21%) of secondary and one in ten (12%) of primary school parents said they had to take a loan out or borrow from friends to meet school costs.

“39% secondary school parents who have to purchase digital devices for their children stated they had to pay over €300 for those digital costs. This huge sum is simply unaffordable for families.

“Too many families feel under pressure to pay so called ‘voluntary’ contributions, which are in place as government continues to inadequately fund schools. 78% of primary and 80% of secondary parents said that their schools requested a voluntary contribution at the start of the school year, with 62% of primary school parents and 66% of secondary school parents saying that it did not feel voluntary.

“At the root of this problem, is the fact that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael continue to fail to properly fund our schools. Shockingly, this year they cut the Book Grant to Primary Schools. Lack of funding has created unnecessary pressure on families to pay ‘voluntary’ contributions to plug the gap left by government underfunding. They are out of touch with the pressures families are under and have failed to listen to them.

“Sinn Féin have a plan to cut back-to-school costs. Our 5 point plan sets out how we would deliver on key solutions to make education affordable.

“Sinn Féin’s 5 Point Plan to Make Education Affordable includes:

– Enact Sinn Féin’s Affordable Uniform Bill, to cut uniform costs
– Establish a Digital Device Rental Scheme, so families aren’t forced to fork out huge sums for devices
– Ban voluntary contributions and adequately fund schools, to end unfair pressure on families
– Reverse cuts to the primary ‘School Books’ grant
– Extend free school books Grant scheme to senior cycle in secondary schools

“Sinn Féin’s plan would make a real difference in the lives of families across the state. I am urging government to act and ensure that these costs are cut urgently.”