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St. Vincent de Paul calls for restoratio​n of child benefit for over 18s still at school


Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 24/07/2013. Tags: Parenting

text re imageThe loss of Child Benefit for children who are aged 18 and who are still in full time second level education is  a serious problem for low income families struggling to meet the costs of keeping their children in school, according to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Children who may have started school late, or who may have been held back due to educational/developmental/health/family issues but who have managed to overcome these challenges and are still in second level at the age of 18 now face this additional barrier to continuing their studies, according to the SVP.  
in letters to the Ministers for Social Protection and Education the SVP says; "As you are aware, the poverty rates of those who leave school without completing their Leaving Certificate and/or with low levels of educational attainment are stark."  

This issue is also highlighted in the first video  from the SVP online campaign for Budget 2014 (www.svp.ie/yourvoice).  
This video is based on the circumstances of one family who appraoched SVP for help. in the video "Jean" talks about her family situation where her husband has lost his job, their struggle to keep their children fed and the psychological impact it is having.  "I feel that I have aged 10 years due to the financial stress", she says.  Launched last week it has been described as 'Powerful', "Raw" and "Strong & Moving" by viewers.

In its letters to the Ministers the SVP says; "We are making this request on behalf of families in need and our members who are concerned that the result of this cut will be lower rates of school completion and educational progression among disadvantaged children and young people, and increased levels of stress and hardship for families."


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