Sinn Féin publishes back-to-school costs plan

The party is bringing the plan before the Dáil this week.

A new plan from Sinn Féin aims to spend €161 million reducing back-to-school costs.

The package, which the party is putting before the Dáil this week, would cut costs related to voluntary contributions, school books, uniforms and transport.

The party says families are coming under increasing pressure as part of ongoing price rises, with school costs compounding their issues.

Local TD Pauline Tully says the measures are much needed:

“We know families in Cavan-Monaghan find back-to-school costs a huge burden every year, but even more so this year, with a cost-of-living crisis that is getting worse and worse.

“Today Sinn Féin have launched a plan to cut back-to-school costs to ensure families get a much-needed break from rising expenses. Families are under real pressure as they try to cover the price of uniforms, books, voluntary contributions, lunches and transport.”

Under the proposal, an extra 500,000 children would be eligible for the Back to School allowance, while payments would be increased by 50%.

This would see payments rise from €160 to €240 for parents with a child aged 4-11 and from €285 to €427.50 for children from the age of 12 up.

“Sinn Féin would also work towards a fully free schoolbook scheme for children”, said Deputy Tully.

“We also set out how we would eliminate fees in the school transport system on a phased basis and provide seats for an additional 10,000 children. We would enact Sinn Féin’s Affordable School Uniforms Bill straight away alongside our Bill to abolish voluntary contributions, which can put families under pressure to fork out hundreds of Euros.”