Mr. Don Myers:

On behalf of the National Parents' Council Post Primary, I welcome this opportunity to address the committee. The National Parents' Council Post Primary is a voluntary organisation with 20 directors, who give of their time freely, and one full-time staff member. While I may be at somewhat of a disadvantage compared to other witnesses, I represent an organisation whose members are at the forefront as parents. The major issues we deal with are similar to those mentioned by other speakers.

The first issue is the cost of uniforms. We have been involved in a campaign aimed at reducing the cost of uniforms because, while we appreciate that uniforms distinguish schools and have to be worn, we need to consider more generic and less costly alternatives. We have heard crazy figures, such as skirts costing up to €90. That day is long gone. This issue needs to be driven from the top down. As a parent body we are powerless unless we have support from the top.

The cost of schools books has long been a major issue. We began to campaign on it in 2011 with our partners and managed to get publishers to introduce a code of conduct. However, we feel the code is very porous and as parents we are simply dictated to and required to take what we are offered. If a school requires books costing €200 parents must buy them if they want their children to be taught there. I am not being disrespectful to teachers when I say teachers pick the books and parents pay for them. In what other part of Irish society is that the practice? I respect teachers as educators, however.

A relatively new publisher claims to have saved parents €15 million in the last three years and estimates that it will save them a further €100 million over the next seven years. It must be applauded for that because it is good to see an Irish company using Irish resources.

We are experiencing hard times and it is good to see what can be achieved. We are also making strides in respect of e-books. However, we are being hampered by the 23% VAT rate. That is a matter to which consideration must be given. As parents, we can all voice our opinions but we do not have the power to get anything done. That is why we will be asking members to put pressure on the powers that be to see that this issue is addressed.

I examined the costs relating to transition year. We are of the view that transition year is important. The mission of transition year is "To promote the personal, social, educational and vocational development of pupils and to prepare them for their role as autonomous, participative, and responsible members of society." We are all aware, however, that with the cut in capitation grants and resources and the imposition of the moratorium, schools are being squeezed and are finding it difficult to make transition year feasible. Those schools which can offer transition year will, therefore, be those which can carry the cost. Increasing numbers of schools are leaning on parents. The latter are being asked to support everything. Reference was made earlier to non-uniform days. I discussed a particular matter with a principal recently and he asked me not to mention another non-uniform day. He stated that if there were any further such days, there would be no need for the pupils to wear their uniforms. The message is clear, namely, funding for initiatives such as transition year is a major imposition, and responsibility for shouldering the cost is continually being placed on parents.

We were all aware that something had to be done in respect of school transport, particularly from the point of view of cost in order to make it efficient. As a result, a value for money review was carried out in respect of school transport. We understand the need to obtain value for money but is it necessary to separate families? It is wrong that one family member can obtain transport to his or her school but that his or her sibling might not be able to attend the same school. Families are being split up at school level. The position in this regard should be reconsidered in order to discover how best this matter might be targeted. The maximum fee charged in respect of school transport is €650. That is nothing when one has it but it is a great deal when one does not. There are families who, unfortunately, fall just outside the qualifying criteria. In the context of issues of this nature, individual circumstances should be taken into account.

I should have referred earlier to the clothing and footwear allowance. This has been reduced significantly in the past couple of budgets. Again, there are families who are missing out on this allowance because they do not meet the criteria and are over the threshold involved. Let us face it, there are sole traders who are in business, who are struggling and who are not entitled to social welfare payments. They are as badly off as some of those who are in receipt of social welfare. Everything must be taken on its merits and on an open basis.

As parents, we want our children to receive the best education possible. We want them to live happy and productive educational lives. At present, however, the position for parents is not good and this is going to reflect back on our children. I ask that anything which can be done for schools or parents, should be done. We all understand that we are living in difficult economic times. However, with a little cohesive effort from everyone we can get things moving. Parents need to be involved at a higher level. As a parent, I am of the view that this is necessary. I ask the committee to bear in mind that, as parents, we need help.