Government TDs welcome back to school measures

Many families struggle with high back to school costs.

Local Government TDs have welcomed the announcement of a new €67 million suite of back-to-school measures announced yesterday.

Ministers Norma Foley, Heather Humphreys and Michael McGrath announced the initiative to help families cope with costs ahead of the new school year.

Under the scheme, fees for school transport are to be abolished and there’ll be a major expansion of the existing School Meals Programme.

As it stands, 230,000 children receive meals under this programme. An additional 310 schools, which were recently designated as DEIS schools, will be invited to participate in this programme.

Also included is an extra €100 on back to school allowance to go towards clothing and footwear.

The amount being paid for each qualified child aged between 4 and 11 years will be €260 and for children aged 12 and over will be €385.

Local Fianna Fáil TDs Brendan Smith and Niamh Smyth have welcomed the announcement.

In a statement, Deputy Smith said the measures will go a long way to helping local families:

"We recognise this is an expensive time of year for families, particularly those with a number of children in school. The announcement of a targeted suite of measures to help families with back to education costs this September across transport, clothing, footwear and meals, builds on the additional cost of living supports we have introduced since Budget 2022 and I believe it will be welcomed by many parents.”

Deputy Smyth concurred and said further measures are expected to be announced by Government in the coming months in a bid to tackle ongoing cost of living issues:

“As set out yesterday as part of the publication of the Summer Economic Statement, further measures which will take effect this year to assist with the rising cost of living will be announced as part of the Budget in September. However, it is appropriate that we take action now to help with back to school costs given that these expenses are being incurred at this time of year and today’s initiative will be of immediate benefit to parents who are grappling with these costs.”