10 Oct 2012, 17:52
The Joint Committee on Education and Social Protection met with a range of school patronage bodies for an in-depth discussion on how to manage rising back to school costs.
10 October 2012
The Committee heard from representatives of the Catholic Primary School Management Association, An Fóras Pátrúnachta, Educate Together, the Church of Ireland, the Irish Vocational Education Association and the Joint Managerial Body through the Secretariat of Secondary Schools.
Committee Vice-Chair Aodhán Ó Ríordáin TD says: “Our Committee thanks the wide range of speakers today for a constructive engagement on how school costs are best managed. Providing for text books, stationary supplies, uniforms and, in rural areas, school transport comes to an average of €487 for primary school children and €620 for those attending secondary school, according to recent figures.
At a time when families are increasingly squeezed, our Committee today heard a series of practical suggestions to minimise the costs of equipping children for school. It is encouraging to hear that schools are moving towards cheaper generic school uniforms to reduce costs for parents. While progress has been made in reducing the cost of text books, considerable financial challenges face many schools wishing to establish and maintain book rental schemes. The provision of tablet computers might help curb such costs in the longer run.
“The Committee takes on board the view that any proposed solutions must recognise the burden on school management boards, which of course comprise members who give up their time voluntarily. Our Committee appreciate the undertaking of a number of the representative organisations to circulate guidelines on curbing school costs through their networks.”
For further information please contact:
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
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Dublin 2
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Committee Membership
Deputies:
James Bannon, Fine Gael
Ray Butler, Fine Gael
Áine Collins, Fine Gael
Joan Collins, People Before Profit
Seán Crowe, Sinn Féin
Clare Daly, Independent
Simon Harris, Fine Gael
Charlie McConalogue, Fianna Fáil
Nicky McFadden, Fine Gael
Mary Mitchell O’Connor, Fine Gael
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Labour Party (Vice Chair)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh, Sinn Féin
Willie O’Dea, Fianna Fáil
Brendan Ryan, Labour Party
Joanna Tuffy, Labour Party (Chair)
Senators:
Jim D’Arcy
Fidelma Healy Eames
Marie Moloney
Marie Louise O’Donnell
Averil Power
Diarmuid Wilson