Newry Armagh Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Ruane welcomes new uniforms for the new school term

Published: 15 September, 2009

Sinn Féin Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, has welcomed the distribution of £844,725 for new primary school uniforms.

The £35 primary school uniform allowance is available from local Education and Library Boards for parents in receipt of income support. At the end of August 2009, there were 24,135 successful applications for the grant.

Ms Ruane said:

"It is great news that over 24,000 children will be starting their new school year in new uniforms. Children have a right to attend school in comfortable fitting clothing and in this time of economic hardship, it is essential that parents avail of all help offered for their child's education.

"As Minister of Education, I am determined to do everything I can to help ease the financial need faced by parents simply by sending their child to primary school. I introduced this new payment to help reduce the spiralling costs facing parents at this time of year.

"At the end of August, this new allowance of £35 has gone towards the cost of over 24,000 primary school uniforms with many more applications still to be processed. This has been a phenomenal uptake and if a parent has not applied, I would encourage them to contact their Education and Library Board."

The Education and Library Boards (ELBs) are responsible for the administration of the scheme and application forms can be obtained from the Boards and schools.

Notes to editors:

1. On 6 March 2009, as part of the announcement on budget allocations to schools and Education and Library Boards for the incoming financial year, the Minister announced that she was extending the current school uniform grant scheme to cover primary school children as well as post-primary school children. The Minister also wrote to all schools on 27 April informing them of the change.

2. The Education and Library Boards are responsible for the administration of the Clothing Allowance Scheme and they have issued application forms to schools in their areas. Advertising posters have also been drawn up to publicise the scheme. Forms can be obtained from the Boards at the following contact numbers:

· Belfast Education and Library Board - 028 9056 4239 or 028 9056 4241

· North-Eastern Education and Library Board - 028 2566 2571 or 2 or 3

· South-Eastern Education and Library Board - 028 9056 6319

· Southern Education and Library Board - 028 3751 2523

· Western Education and Library Board - 028 8241 1496