Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)

We all see it every year: the proud photos of our little ones in their school uniforms standing tall and smiling on the first day back. Those bright faces fill our social media feeds but what the photos do not show are the stress, the struggle and the sacrifice of the parents or guardians behind the camera, the sleepless nights worrying about how to afford it all. For far too many families, 54% of them, going to school is not a joyful occasion; it is a financial burden. Some are forced to cut back on essentials, even food, just to make sure their child has a uniform or a pair of shoes that fit. This is shameful in a so-called modern state.

Uniform costs alone are spiralling. Hundreds of schools have a uniform policy that requires crested uniforms often with only one supplier meaning parents have no choice but to pay whatever price is set. We all know how fast children grow.

Jumpers shrink, jackets get lost and the bills keep piling up. On top of that are the so-called voluntary contributions, estimated at over €54 million this year, forced on parents because this Government has failed to properly fund our schools. One parent of a child in a secondary school has paid €272 so far this year for mocks fees, study blocks, lockers and career outings, and that is only by the start of November. This is before uniforms or digital devices are taken into account.

Inequalities keep growing. The Government’s plan for leaving certificate reform risks creating a system where well-funded schools pull further ahead while other schools, starved of investment, fall behind. Even the so-called hot-meals scheme is a postcode lottery. Parents in Clare are calling it a scheme of frustration with poor-quality food. Some schools in Clare are unable to afford even the electricity to heat the meals, and others are unable to access the scheme at all due to procurement and supply issues. Therefore, once again families are left to fork out for packed lunches on the back of empty promises.

Teachers’ unions and parents have been clear: schools need proper funding and increased capitation grants. However, this Government has not listened. Budget 2026 once again fails our parents, our teachers and our schools. When will we see the day when back-to-school photos show not just the smiles of children but also the relief of parents who no longer have to struggle or sacrifice to give their kids a fair start? Let us make that day come sooner rather than later. Let us end the yearly cycle of stress and financial strain. I urge the Minister to support this Bill, stand with children, parents and schools, and support families.

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