Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim ETB raise cost of living concerns with Oireachtas members

Members of the Oireachtas met with representatives from Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim ETB at a special briefing event in Buswells Hotel in Dublin recently.
The event was organised by Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI), the national representative body of 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) nationwide.

Mayo politicians in attendance included Alan Dillon, Fine Gael TD and Rose Conway Walsh, Sinn Féin TD.
The event focused on how the cost-of-living crisis is impacting the education sector, and in particular, how the current school meal scheme allowance provided to schools is unrealistic and is causing the scheme to be unworkable.
ETBI represents 277 primary and post primary schools across the country, approximately 125 of which have DEIS status – making them part of the school meal scheme.

ETBI called on the government to revise the programme, as a number of ETB schools have reported that current suppliers cannot provide the food to schools at the current rates. There has been no revision of the allowance rates in over ten years.
Tom Grady, Chief Executive of Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim ETB said: “We were delighted to be able to attend the briefing at Buswells Hotel to represent our ETB schools in Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim.
“With the current cost of living crisis, we are concerned for the welfare of our students and learners and want to do everything we can to ensure that they can continue to participate fully in their education and training.”
“We are thankful for the opportunity to be able to speak with TDs and Senators and to have our concerns listened to.
“From the rising cost of fuel impacting those reliant on cars and lifts from others, to the increase in costs for goods and services affecting the sustainability of some school support – there are a number of significant challenges arising from the cost of living crisis that are a source of anxiety for learners and families, and we hope that these can be alleviated as we move into 2023.

“We were also delighted to share with members of the Oireachtas details of all the education and training services we provide free of charge to their constituents, as well as our ambitious plans for the future in Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim ETB.”
Also commenting, Paddy Lavelle, Chief Executive of Education and Training Boards Ireland, said: “We were delighted with the turnout for our briefing event. We had representation from all of our ETBs across the country, and they had the chance to brief a wide cross-section of politicians on their concerns for sector, amid the cost-of-living crisis.
“One of the main concerns raised was the current school meals scheme. A substantial meal in the middle of the day is so important, not just for a child’s nutrition but for their mental and physical wellbeing as well,” Mr Lavelle said.