Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I fully support tonight's motion. The motion is timely and certainly needs to be heard and debated at this time because parents and families are really struggling, particularly those on low and middle incomes. While I welcome the increase of €100 in the back to school allowance and the announcement that school transport will be free, I hope this will include pupils on concessionary tickets because they need to get to school as well and should not be punished in any way because they have a concessionary ticket. I hope they are included.

It is a deep crisis for so many people. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul has reported that it is receiving record numbers of calls this year. It is getting worse by the day. Everything that can be done should be done to help parents. We know that many parents in desperation turn to moneylenders every year and that was the case before the inflation or crisis we have today. I fear that this will become worse if the supports are not there.

I call on the Minister to make sure schools are supported in terms of increased capitation so that we do not have voluntary contributions. I remember bringing forward a Bill a few years ago on voluntary contributions. They need to be scrapped. Schools should not have to ask families on low and middle incomes to make up the shortfall in money to keep the lights or heat on in school. Capitation needs to increase and schools need to be helped in every way possible so that it does not fall back on families.

It is a very difficult time for people and everything that needs to be done should be done. I ask for DEIS status to be extended to more schools because there are many disadvantaged communities where people are really struggling and yet the schools in those areas are not designated as DEIS. There has been a problem with this model for years. In a time of crisis and hardship like this, DEIS status should be extended to many schools. There are schools in disadvantaged communities in my constituency of Laois-Offaly and it is frustrating for those teachers and principals to see their school has not been included. Again, this will help families. If we bring in as many measures as we can, look at it across the board and help our schools, it will not fall back on the families, particularly at a time when they can least afford it.

I also hope that we will see some sort of support in terms of schoolbooks and that many schools will be assisted so that they will be able to roll out rental schemes. If schools are getting support, they can do more for families. Many of them already do. They bend over backwards through their own fundraising but they need help. Low- and middle-income families need urgent help.

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