BY MICHAEL DEVLIN
PARENTS caught in the dilemma of not being able to afford school uniforms for their children and other essential supplies, have been advised to contact their local school board for help as grants are available.
With school holidays coming to an end, many parents face the nightmare of not being able to afford the school uniforms their children require.
These can be a major expense for some and when you added in the cost of PE kits, which are specified by many schools, it can run to hundreds of pounds.
For many parents who have already had an expensive summer keeping the children entertained or cared for while they work, this added expense is out of their reach. Often they turn to credit cards and unsecured loans to purchase the goods.
Michelle Loughran, a Money Officer with Omagh Independent Advice Services, said that working parents on low income should be entitled to working tax credits and single parents are entitled to child tax credits.
However, she pointed out that the tax credits system does not make a specific allowance for school uniforms and other school costs.
Ms Loughran advised that there are "uniform grants" available from the Western Education and Library Board to assist low-income families, but that these are only available for children of a secondary school age.
Moreover, she said, that the grant does not cover all of the costs.
She said that it would be helpful to low-income families if the government would acknowledge the extra costs associated with the start of the new school year.
John Baird, managing director of DCM Money Solutions said, "Taking credit now is the only option for many parents, but then in September when the first payments are due we always see an increase in the number of enquiries we receive as worried mums realise they can't pay back the money they have borrowed.
"Every parent wants their child to start school with the right uniform, shoes, trainers and other items but they simply can't afford it."
"Expensive uniforms can put low-income families off applying to certain schools. Wealth should never be a deterrent to opportunity, and we are very clear that schools should limit cost," British Minister for Children, Families and Schools Kevin Brennan declared recently.
