Lone parent struggles with sums [Independent.ie]
- Published: 27 August 2009
GETTING her daughter back to school without going into debt is a major juggling exercise for Louise O'Neill.
A lone parent from Cabra, Dublin 7, Louise has been struggling to meet all the needs for the new school year for her eight-year-old daughter Gabrielle.
Just a few days before the term kicks off on Tuesday, she says she still hasn't bought everything because she's trying to space out her purchases to cushion the impact. The recent axing of the Book Grant Scheme -- which provided funds to schools to help families buy books -- was a major blow as Louise had been able to avail of this in the past. But she revealed that her daughter's school -- St Columba's in Iona Road, Glasnevin -- had arranged a second-hand book rental scheme, bringing her books bill down to around €35. She estimated that uniform costs would be €150 -- this includes a pinafore only available from a uniform supplier and not from chain stores such as Dunnes or Marks & Spencer, "unfairly" bumping up the costs.
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