Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am glad the Minister has listened to my colleague, Deputy Ó Laoghaire, on this issue. It is very clear. Even the Tánaiste said this morning that the last few days have been spent on this. I welcome what it has bought. It is an example of effective opposition. I only wish the Government would listen more to what we and the Opposition more generally have to say with regard to alleviating the pressures on families.

Families in Mayo are finding meeting back to school costs a struggle. It is a struggle every year but, this year, these costs are pushing many over the edge. Already coming through the door are book lists, uniform lists and letters regarding voluntary contributions. Can the Minister imagine what it is like for the child in the classroom who cannot afford to go on the school tour to be asked for a voluntary contribution when the money is just not there? Even though the family may be turning the heating off and reducing the amount of food they are eating, the money being demanded from them is just not there. I want the Minister to understand and realise the damage that is done to children when they are forced into that situation.

I welcome what the Minister has done today. She did it under duress and pressure but families are under immense duress and pressure in trying to get an education for their children. We have to remember that, under the Constitution, we are supposed to provide free education. We have to get back to that. This motion is an opportunity to give the back to school allowance to middle-income families, targeting those with household incomes of €80,000 or less, because a great many families are locked out and cannot benefit from the back to school allowance. It does not reflect the financial reality of people's households. That is why we are proposing this motion, which would result in 500,000 additional children qualifying for the allowance. It is crucially importantly that those families qualify and are given a break. They are the families who work tirelessly and really hard to educate their children. The proposal would also see a 50% increase for those already receiving the payment.

I welcome the announcement made with regard to school transport but it needs to apply for more than just this year. It is scandalous that we charge families €650 for their children to get on a school bus and that we deny many children across the State a seat on those buses because we label their places as concessionary. It is not right.

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