‘Parents in debt to pay back-to-school costs’, says Cork TD

A Cork TD has called for a substantial investment in education as parents in Cork are being “forced in to debt to cover back-to-school costs”.

Sinn Féin Cork South Central TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire has said that savings from the free schoolbooks’ scheme, which was expanded to cover all senior-cycle students this year, are being “swallowed up by digital devices and increased voluntary contributions”.

“Unfortunately, the extension of the schoolbooks’ scheme to cover all second-level schools is not making a dent in savings for parents,” said Mr Ó Laoghaire.

Digital devices

He said the introduction of digital devices has “completely demolished” any savings from the schoolbook scheme. “Some digital devices can cost over €800 per child, placing an enormous burden on parents.”

This summer, Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP) received 3,340 calls from parents who cannot afford to keep up with back-to-school costs.

Mr Ó Laoghaire further called on Helen McEntee, the education minister, to introduce cost-saving measures for families. He said: “Minister McEntee intends to progress a charter bill to strengthen engagement between schools, parents, and students on issues such as school costs — this is a token gesture.”

“It is quite clear that the overriding issue affecting our education system, at this point in time, is under-investment in the sector. I strongly recommend that Minister McEntee listens to the concerns of parents who are really struggling with back-to-school costs.

“I urge [her] to introduce a dedicated digital device fund to ensure children who cannot afford a device are not affected by the digital divide,” he added. 

“Minister McEntee must also provide significant investment in the upcoming budget to ensure that our schools are adequately funded, which, in turn, will reduce the heavy financial burden of school costs facing parents.”