Call for supports for ‘squeezed middle’
The cost of living crisis is “getting worse and worse” and not enough is being done to lessen the impact on people, particularly families.
Cllr Paddy McDonald (SF) urged his fellow councillors to back calls for a further reduction in school costs, including an entirely free school book scheme.
Speaking at a recent meeting of the local authority, he said measures introduced by the Government in recent weeks were welcome “but they need to go farther”.
“Letters for the purchase of books, uniforms, and for voluntary contributions have started to arrive through doors already. Families across the State, and I have spoken with many throughout Cavan, find back-to-school costs a huge burden every year.”
He called for measures, such as the Back to School allowance, “to be extended to squeezed middle income families, targeting those on a household income of €80,000 and less”.
He said the measure “would ensure an additional 500,000 children would qualify for this support and greatly ease the enormous pressure on their parents”.
Cllr McDonald also highlighted college and third level costs, claiming one local family would have to fork out €15,000 to cover accommodation and college fees in September.
Cllr Sarah O’Reilly (Aon) said she would support the motion and agreed measures are needed for those in the “squeezed middle”. However, she took issue with Cllr McDonald’s definition of the term.
“I do not agree the squeezed middle are on €80,000 per household. That has a smell of champagne socialism about it. They wouldn’t be the squeezed middle I would think.”
The Central Statistics Office in 2020 classed the median disposable income for a family of two adults and up to three children under the age of 18 as €58,008.
Cllr Carmel Brady (FG) said she agreed with the previous comments, describing it as a “high pressure time” in the run up to the new school year.
She praised the announcement of €84 million as part of the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, an increase of €24 million on last year.
“124,000 families will receive the allowance. This will benefit 220,000 children.”
Cathaoirleach John Paul Feeley (FF) highlighted the Government’s decision to remove school transport fees for the coming year.
“There’s a commitment to provide additional spaces on school transport and also to reduce third level registration fees.”
She urged parents to shop around when buying uniforms, claiming some outlets had “full school uniforms” for between €6 and €10.
“All our main shops like Tesco, Dunnes, Aldi and Lidl have a full uniform of clothing from €6 to €10. Trousers, top and two little t-shirts. A lot of help has been given this year for back to school costs.”