INISHOWEN families
face "an extremely difficult autumn" as education
costs soar and the Back to School Allowance is cut,
says local TD Charlie McConalogue.
He said many low-income families will be hit with
the €50 cut in the Back to School Allowance this
summer.
“It has slipped many people’s minds that the
Government slashed the Back to School Allowance in
the Budget, and that the cuts will kick in this
summer.
“The allowance is being cut by €50 per child for the
new school year. It means the payment for children
over the age of 12 will reduce from €250 to €200
this summer, while the payment for children between
4 and 11 will go down from €150 to €100," he said.
He said the allowance was "a life-line" for
struggling families as they grapple with big bills
for uniforms, sports gear, school books, stationery
and other essential school equipment.
“I am meeting families in Donegal every single day
who feel they just can’t afford more bills, more
increases in basic household costs and more cuts in
supports for families.
"They are squeezed beyond capacity as it is. Young
middle and low income families feel they are being
hit from every angle at the moment and they just
can’t take any more cuts,” added Deputy McConalogue. |
