'They are robbers. They stole my money. I want my €2,300 back...but I don't know what I can do' [Independent.ie]
- Published: 09 August 2011
ANGRY students from around the globe gathered outside the locked doors of a language school yesterday, demanding to know why it had suddenly closed.
Many of the 300 vulnerable young pupils paid thousands in fees to Abbey College just weeks ago, and in some cases, just days ago.
Thousands of miles from home, they have been left high and dry after being told by text that Abbey College on Dublin's Dame Street has shut down.
And they now fear they may be left homeless as the host families they were staying with have not been paid.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Getting your child into a free scheme [Independent.ie]
- Published: 09 August 2011
Along with primary schools, thousands of children all over the country will be starting their free pre-school year in playschools and creches.
Now in its second full year, the pre-school year under the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme entitles any child born between February 2, 2007, and June 30, 2008, to three hours of free care per day during the school year.
This means that your child must be aged at least three years and three months by September 1 to qualify.
Although there has been little research to date on how the scheme is faring since it started in January 2010, childcare experts and the National Children's Nurseries Association (NCNA) report that parents are generally happy with it.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Thinking ahead [Independent.ie]
- Published: 09 August 2011
AS a mother of a young girl, Sian Sharkey is thinking ahead.
The future expense of putting her daughter Isla, who is eight months, through secondary school and college has prompted her and husband Kevin to make plans.
"Since Isla was born we have started getting child benefit of €140 a month. We have not got into the habit of spending it and instead are putting €100 a month into a savings plan," she said.
"I am worried about the costs of everything from uniforms to books. We want some money there so she can have everything she needs when the time comes," Ms Sharkey added.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Mum tells of panic as application refused [Independent.ie]
- Published: 09 August 2011
EVERY parent's nightmare is to see their child being picked on for being different.
Kilkenny mother-of-four Carol Cody is panicking that her children will not have a proper school uniform or new shoes as the school term looms.
The hard-working parent applied for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BTSCFA) at the beginning of the summer.
But she only got a reply last week, turning down her request -- which Carol blames on her efforts to earn a living for her family.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Do you want the good news or the bad news? [Independent.ie]
- Published: 09 August 2011
THE good news is that the cost of educating a child from primary school to third level has come down.
The bad news is that the overall sum is still considerable.
Brace yourself for the figure -- €60,000. That is the mammoth amount of money researchers at parent resource Schooldays.ie and Bank of Ireland estimate it takes to educate a child.
Last year, the same researchers put the cost at €70,000, so at least the expense of education has lessened a little.
Totting it all up like that makes the costs seem huge and must make families whose children have yet to enter on to the school system wonder how they will ever afford it.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
