Ann Graves (Dublin Fingal East, Sinn Fein)

We are all aware that families are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. Between spiralling rents, mortgages, energy, food and fuel, the list of ever-increasing bills is growing longer and longer. Each bill puts further pressure and stress on working families. When it comes to their children's education, parents are being forced into more debt in order to cover back-to-school costs. Barnardos carried out a back-to-school report, noting that 54% of parents are worried about costs, as families dip into savings where they have some, get loans and apply household budget cutbacks to pay for uniforms. The Irish League of Credit Unions report highlights that there is a 5% increase on last year in families that are sacrificing food in order to cover costs. That is an absolute disgrace.

I have seen the effects of these bills on families. In my own constituency, a family with both parents working, but with mortgage, food and fuel costs, is still struggling to pay their bills. The added cost of a uniform is even more pressure. When asked about the cost of uniforms, the Minister for education said it was up to schools to offer crests parents could buy and then buy the uniform separately. This is not practical or workable. PE gear adds to the bills. The polo shirt costs €15 when crested, yet a parent can buy a three-pack with no crest for about €8 - the same colour as what the school demands but it just has no crest on it. A mother told me:

... we did have to buy 2 crested t-shirts at a total cost of €30 and in winter my son will wear the cheaper one when there's no fear he has to take his tracksuit top off. The school jacket which is not even heavy is another €39 as its crested. It's just a rip off. I hope your party eventually takes power and you might listen to the ordinary person who works, pays taxes and are then fleeced.

These are the words of ordinary working families. A lone parent is being crippled by back to school costs. She wants to know why the Government does not introduce regulations that will ensure uniforms are standardised and made affordable. Sinn Féin has introduced legislation to place an obligation on the Minister for Education and Youth to introduce regulations governing the implementation of an affordable school uniform policy in school. This is what people want; a Government that is on their side, that cares for working families and will give a helping hand when people need it.

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