“Back-To-School Costs Pushing Families Against the Wall”

“Back-To-School Costs Pushing Families Against the Wall” - Mullen

Aontú deputy leader Denise Mullen has said that back to school costs are pushing families against a wall

Speaking today, Cllr. Denise Mullen said “The Stormont politicians are playing games while many families across the North are struggling to get the money together to cover back to school costs. The average price of uniforms is now £826. This will push 38% of families into debt. Even more than that, 72% of Northern parents said that they are stretched to the limit by school costs. The pathetic increase to the uniform grant will not cover spiralling costs.”

Cllr. Mullen continued “This is only a small part of the crippling educational crisis in the North. I’m hearing the most heart-breaking stories of the immense stress and pressure that back-to-school costs are putting on families across our community. Economic justice is a core pillar of Aontú. We need serious long-term solutions, rather than token gestures from Stormont.”

“While statutory guidance on uniforms would be a significant step in the right direction, we need a functioning government to properly address the many aspects of this crisis. As the next school year rapidly approaches, the political pantomime that goes on in Stormont is now pushing families against the wall and threatening the education of our children. It needs to stop” concluded Cllr. Mullen

Críoch

The Irish political system is radically broken

In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.

Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.

Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.