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The Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) has recorded a 6% decrease in calls for support with back-to-school costs this year. This is the second year in a row that back to school calls have decreased, last year the charity saw a 20% decrease in calls for help with back-to-school costs.
SVP says the free school books scheme for all primary school pupils and for junior cycle pupils in secondary school is contributing to the reduction in the need for support from SVP. The retention of child benefit for those still in education up to the age of 19 has also added to the reduction in requests for help.
However, it says requests for parent contributions fees known as “voluntary” contributions/registration fees, costly uniforms and devices such as I-pads and laptops continue to place the financial burden on all parents and families, but is felt most by those on low income and those experiencing poverty.
SVP National President Rose McGowan said, “We have taken calls from parents who pay these additional costs but who are going without, less food in the cupboards, the heating is off and other bills are being delayed, so that parents can cover the cost of back-to-school. The high cost of transition year is increasingly an issue as well.”
Policy and Research Officer for SVP Niamh Dalziel said; “Research shows that when you send your child to secondary school the costs go up significantly. The high cost of school books in the senior cycle is a leading reason why calls to SVP for support with the cost of education haven’t dropped further. Which is why we believe the government should announce in Budget 2025 the free school books scheme for all pupils in the senior cycle.
"Free school books from the first day of primary school right through to the end of secondary level would help change the lives of the younger generation who currently live in poverty and give them a fairer place in their education so that they have a better chance of breaking the cycle of poverty that so many are trapped in.
“But time and technology have moved on and we are seeing that digital devices such as tablets and laptops are becoming necessary everyday school items. These come with a large price tag as well as the cost of insurance and broadband on top. We want to see the use of technology in our schools to be poverty proofed by the department of education and schools. We are also seeking clarity on whether funding through the current school books supports can be used for digital devices.
“We published a report last year that clearly demonstrates the financial and mental pressure “voluntary” contributions puts on parents and families finances. Some parents shared they and their children went without necessities in order to pay the charges the schools were asking for. We’ve seen through our calls that this policy continues. This charge is not voluntary and it isn’t justified in what is supposed to be a free education system.
“SVP first asked for the free school books policy over 20 years ago. This government in their final budget, can and should rid every parent of the financial pressure of buying school books for their children who are in the senior cycle, in doing so the policy will uplift the educational experience of the children from the families that struggle the most.”
In July, SVP published ‘Delivering an equal and inclusive budget’ which outlines its priorities for Budget 2025 and the next Programme for Government.
