Tipperary Sinn Féin TD Martin Browne has urged the government to support the party’s plan to cut back-to-school costs.
The extensive package of measures is intended to provide families with a break from the cost-of-living crisis by cutting back-to-school costs such as the price of
voluntary contributions, school books, uniforms and transport. Sinn Fein says the measures would cost €161 million to deliver.
Sinn Féin’s plan involves making the Back-to-School allowance available to 500,000 additional children. The party also wants the amount of support to be increased This proposal is that it would increase from €160 to €240 for parents with a child aged 4-11 and from €285 to €427.50 for children from the age of 12 up. The party also wants the Department of Education to oversee a fully free schoolbook scheme and a free and expanded school transport service. The party is also seeking to deliver Sinn Féin’s Affordable School Uniforms Bill straight away alongside a Bill to abolish voluntary contributions.
