The cost of going back to school can be as much as €1,000 according to research carried out by the MABS office in Wexford
RESEARCH BY MABS SAYS GETTING DEARER ALL THE TIME
THE COSTS incurred by Wexford parents paying for school supplies and school contribution fees are on the rise, according to the Money and Budgeting Advice Service in Wexford (MABS).
Recent figures released by Barnardos show the cost of sending a secondary school pupil to school can run to over €1,000, while it costs up to €400 to pay for everything required to send a primary school pupil to school.
MABS Co-ordinator Nicky Rossiter said: ‘ Like everything else the cost of sending a child to school is getting dearer, but people don’t realize it. The cost of tablets is one factor.’
Mr Rossiter said what were once called voluntary contributions to schools are now mandatory due to funding cuts from the Department of Education.
‘It can be embarrassing for people if they have a problem paying the contribution but we’d urge them to talk to their principal in confidentiality. Every school assumes everyone is on a level playing field but someone on Social Welfare might be better at budgeting their money than a couple who is working who have huge bills.’
Mr Rossiter said: ‘ There is no point putting themselves into further trouble by paying something (in full) when it could be reduced or put off for a few years. The contribution has the funny name of voluntary contribution but because of the way education is funded it’s no longer voluntary.’
MABS staff are bracing themselves for a busy September as parents put off paying bills to meet the costs of school books, uniforms, school supplies etc.
‘When the kids are back in school in September and into October we’ll be very busy as people will have put off paying their ESB bill or even their mortgage and that’s when it will become a problem. If things become problematic and people feel they can’t deal with bills themselves they should definitely come in and talk to us before it becomes too much of a hassle.’
The cost of secondary school has also risen in recent years with Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate fees for everyone, except medical card holders.
Mr Rossiter urged parents who are medical card holders to be sure their school is aware of this.
He said parents need to start budgeting for the 2015/ 2016 school year as soon as their child begins school this week.
‘We would advise people to start budgeting as soon as their child is back at school as you need to have a plan in place. People don’t and that’s why you have this mad rush every mid to late August.’
He urged parents to shop around and look for promotions, adding that bulk buying of pens and copy books with friends who also have children is an option.
Mr Rossiter said credit union loans are a preferred option over credit cards as interest rates are so high.
‘People need to be brutally honest with themselves before committing to a loan rather than finding themselves in trouble five months down the line. Christmas is coming and there may be other big expenses so make sure it’s a realistic loan and make sure you can realistically repay it.’ He said Wexford parents of third level students are facing into major expense as registration fees of €2,750, deposits on accommodation, books etc have to be paid for.
President of Wexford St Vincent de Paul, Mary Dempsey said the organisation helps struggling parents pay for school uniforms and books, while food vouchers are also provided.
‘Our aim is to make people self sufficient and we feel if they stay in education as long as possible to give them the best chance of success possible.’