Crowe Meets  Barnardo Reps On School Costs

Dublin South West  TD, Seán Crowe, TD, met this week in Leinst er Houseare  with June Tinsley, the Policy Development Manager at Barnardos and Catherine Joyce, the organisation’s Advocacy Manager to discuss difficulties that parents are currently experiencing in relation to sending their children to school.

Describing the meeting as ” a frank exchange of ideas and very worthwhile”, Deputy Crowe commended the important work being carried out by Barnardos in support of vulnerable children and their families. The meeting discussed a number of issues  including the implementation of school book lending schemes and the rising cost of cost school uniforms.

Deputy Seán Crowe said: “Sinn Féin supports the efforts of groups  like Barnardos who are campaigning for the expansion of the school book lending scheme and a more affordable system of school uniforms to be made available to students and cash strapped parents. These are issues Sinn Féin has also highlighted and it is vitally importany that the Education Minister Ruairí Quinn does all within his power to implement realistic measures that can alleviate the financial burden on parents when equipping their children for school.

“The annual cost of school books in this State is €60 million, an unacceptable figure that places far too great a burden on families, particularly  during the current economic climate.Minister Quinn needs  to ensure that the publishers of school books honour their commitments and implement a more ethical code of practice.

“ Hard pressed parents want to see a greater roll out of book lending schemes and  the yearly rising cost of school uniforms drastically reduced. An active campaign needs to gain momemtum around these issues and should involve politicians, stakeholders, parents and other representative groups like Barnardos.

“A greater roll out of book lending schemes at Primary and Secondary level must become the norm in schools throughout the State. This  combined with serious attempt to end to the school  uniform rip off would be welcome news for parents currently  trapped on the yearly school merry go round.”