Financial burden for Donegal families set to be eased ahead of school year

The financial burden of Donegal families with children preparing for the new school year will be eased through a number of government initiatives, according to local minister, Charlie McConalogue.

“It’s important to recognise that this is an expensive time of the year for families that have children starting and returning to school,” the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine commented.

“The first year of a new scheme that will see free schoolbooks and classroom resources provided to Junior Cycle students in post-primary schools in Donegal and across the country has just been launched, and this is an extremely positive development.

“We have undertaken the largest expansion of the DEIS scheme, our flagship programme to support disadvantaged students. This is bolstered by our free hot school meals programme in every DEIS school in the country and a phased roll-out to all non-DEIS schools this year. We have continued to support our students and school communities by reducing the primary pupil-teacher ratio in three successive budgets, bringing it to a historic low of 23:1.

“Families that receive the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance can save up to €160 per child in primary school and €285 per child in post-primary school. Reduced school transport charges of €50 per student at primary level and €75 per student at post-primary level are continuing this year, with a cap per family of €125 benefitting over 160,000 pupils daily. A waiver for entry fees is in place for students sitting the Junior and Leaving Certificate examinations. This is a saving of €109 for Junior Certificate students and €126 for Leaving Certificate students.

“We have also removed the requirement for families to pay a voluntary contribution. Families that have children aged 18 who are in full-time education are eligible to continue to receive Child Benefit at a rate of €140 per month per child.

“All of these initiatives will make a real and lasting difference to the lives of children, young people, families, school staff and communities. The savings for families with children at primary and post-primary school over the coming weeks will be significant. Fianna Fáil will continue its proud tradition of helping families at this time of the year to ensure that an accessible and affordable education is available to all.”